Gifts for Mom to Be

As soon as a family comes to know the news of a baby arriving, not only the family, but even the neighbors are hit by the wave of happiness! After that, for the next nine months the mom-to-be is showered with gifts! However, many times people do not know what should be gifted the to be mom and in haste end up buying the wrong the gift! A lot of thinking needs to be done before buying a gift for the mom-to-be. You can give decorative gifts to anybody else, but in case of a mom-to-be, the gift has to have utility value, if you want it to really mean something to her.

Gift Ideas for Mom-to-Be

Pregnancy Pillows: From the first month of the pregnancy itself, the mom-to-be finds it difficult to sleep. And as the months progress, peaceful sleep becomes like a dream to her! So gifting her a pregnancy pillow will be the best gift; the reason for this is the special qualities of the pregnancy pillow. As the name suggests, these pillows are specially designed for pregnant women. These pillows are not like normal pillows, they are much longer than them and also firmer than normal pillows. They are designed in such a way that they provide more oxygen to the baby.

Spa Certificate: No one requires a relaxing massage as much as a pregnant woman! So gifting her something like a spa certificate can certainly be counted as one of the unique gifts for mom-to-be. Spa certificates will make the mother relax, and not only this, they will also rejuvenate her. And what is beneficial for the mother, is obviously beneficial for the fetus, it will also feel the positivity in its mother. There are different kinds spas, gifting her a certificate of a spa which gives aromatherapy along with the usual massage is a great option. The oils used in aromatherapy are said to be extremely beneficial in pregnancy.

Maternity Clothes: After all, comfortable clothes is one of the prime needs of a pregnant woman! Though she has an idea that the most of her clothes won't fit her as pregnancy proceeds, she definitely gets frustrated when she has to get rid of almost all her previous clothes! So maternity clothes will surely make her happy. They are usually very big in size, so there won't be any problem of discomfort. It is better to gift a set of maternity clothes than just one dress. If you are group of friends, and want to gift them as baby shower gifts for mom-to-be, then ask one of your friend to buy a sleek black dress, which she can wear after pregnancy so that she does not miss her trendy dresses too much!

Care Package: Gifting the mom-to-be with things that she will need in the hospital is called a care package. The things which are to be kept in a care package depend entirely on you. But the general things that can be added to this gift basket are a few books, slippers, anti-bacterial soap, conditioner, set of maternity clothes, floss, lotion, diaper bag, etc.

These were some of the best gifts for an expecting mother, weren't they? You can also gift things like pregnancy books or a camera, etc. depending on your budget. Pregnancy is an exciting period for any woman, so any gifts given on this occasion are special. However, try to gift things that the expecting mother can make use of and also remember you anytime she uses it!

Gift Ideas For Teenage Girls

A teenager is always in a process of self discovery and self-expression and hence, when buying gifts for teenage girls, keep in mind her hobby, favorites and unique personality. The favorites would include her favorite color, favorite accessory, favorite memorabilia or even her favorite movie and music genre. This would help you to add to her collection and you can rest assured that she will love the gift! A little sneak peek prior to venturing out to buy the teenager a gift, definitely helps.

Best Gifts for Teenage Girls

There are a number of great gifts for teenage girls today. You can access the gift ideas from a number of online and offline resources, or put together innovative ideas yourself. The gifts are available in exquisite 'fun and funky' collections to the 'sophisticated' collections. However, when choosing a gift for a teenage girl, you must keep in mind that her taste and style will keep shifting. She is impressed and influenced by every new trend and style quotient. The entire exercise of buying a gift for a teenage girl can be a daunting experience, if you don't plan the purchase and conduct a little prior research. The quickest way to view the great gift for a teenage girl is to get online and browse through the various department links. You could even delve into the age-old apparel and jewelry. However, you can make the shopping an exciting experience and the gift a unique one, with a personal touch. So, following are some of the top gift ideas for teenagers which can help you to find out a unique and cool present for your loved one. Have a look!

• There is a range of bags and fun lifestyle and travel accessories available, especially designed for the impulsive teenager.
• There are vanity cases, hand and shoulder purses, hand bags and accessories. Gifts for teenage girls include other trivia like hair pins, hair bands and rollers etc.
• Slacks, T-shirts, wrap-around skirts and even sneakers and slip-on make great gifts for teenage girls.
• Gifts for teenage girls also include bath confetti for the more indulgent, dinner and theater passes for the 'newly in love'.
• If she is a voracious reader, buy her the latest best seller, or one by her favorite author.
• You could put together classy jewelry like trinkets, bracelets, ear-rings, chains and finger rings. These could be picked according to her personality and personal preferences. You could take it a step further and include her birthstone.
• Hamper is one of the best gifts for teenage girls. You could either design the hamper with the jewelry and deo spray combination, jewelry and apparel combination or jewelry and toiletries combination. These hampers are instant hits with the teenage girl, who is the little woman so desperately trying to emulate her idols.
• Buying footwear is a little tricky, unless you sneak away with a recent pair she has indulged herself in.
• In the case of a teenager who loves to try culinary skills, you could gift a good recipe book set or a colorful apron and glove set for the kitchen.
• You could even add a special touch to your gift, by working around a theme. Try to find out her favorite actor or musician or sports star. Then, try to access memorabilia to fit the theme and throw in some items, while putting the hamper together.
• You could also consider her hobbies like if she loves collecting stamps or currency from other countries, you can arrange such things for her. If she loves a particular sport, you could gift her equipment or the latest accessories.

Teenage girls are in a very sensitive phase of their lives. They are easy to please and a little thought when putting a gift together for a teenager, goes a long way. Fashion and trends keep changing with teenagers, and hence it is good to keep yourself well-informed about this finicky market. The teenage girl is neither child nor woman, but she loves to be treated like an adult despite the fact that she behaves child-like. Even as she emulates her idols, she also is on the quest of self discovery and developing a personal style quotient. Hope this article helped you in choosing a gift for a teenage girl.

Common Contagious Diseases

After hearing about a contagious disease, one is often worried. This is because these contagious diseases can easily spread to people around the infected person. Children are one of the most common victims of contagious diseases. All because they tend to remain in proximity to other children at crche, nursery's and schools. They also have a weak and developing immune system that may not be able to fight each and every infection it encounters. Infections that are caused by bacteria, virus, fungi and protozoans are generally termed as contagious diseases. These organisms are easily passed on from people to people through direct or indirect contact. There are some very common contagious diseases that tend to infect people every other day. However, not all develop an infection, especially when they are healthy and their immune system is strong.

List of Most Common Contagious Infections

There is a long list of contagious diseases that affect people of all ages around the world. When a person catches an infection, he or she may become contagious, especially in case of a bacterial or viral infection.

Common Cold
One of the most common highly contagious infections is common cold. It is one of the main reasons many children and adults remain absent from school or work. Common cold is a viral infection caused by parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, echovirus, and many other viruses. The viral agents spread through nasal discharge and droplets after an infected person sneezes or coughs. It can even spread through surface contact with a contaminated object.

Influenza
Another common respiratory disease is influenza, commonly known as flu. It affects about 20% of patients in United States who suffer from flu in a year. It leads to fever, cough, runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, fatigue and muscle aches. This disease spreads through nasal droplets from coughing and sneezing.

Conjunctivitis
This is one of the most common contagious eye disease in preschoolers. Also, called pink eye, conjunctivitis can be caused by a bacterial or viral agent. It leads to inflammation of the membrane covering the white of the eye. This leads to redness, swelling, watery discharge and visual problems at times. This condition may affect any person of any age, but rate of transmission is high in children. Because they remain in close contact with other children and do not understand what may irritate their eye and cause an infection.

Chickenpox
Another common contagious disease in children that leads to a severe rash on the body. This contagious diseases is caused by varicella zoster virus that spreads through nasal droplets spread by sneezing, coughing and coming in contact with contaminated objects. It leads to fluid filled lesions on the body that are very itchy. The child may even develop fever due to the rash. There is no specific treatment for chickenpox and the infection resolves on its own after about 6 days of the last rashes appeared on the body. This is a very contagious infection and any child or adult infected should stay away from crowded areas and avoid traveling.

Cryptosporidiosis
One of the most contagious waterborne diseases in United States is cryptosporidiosis. It is caused by a parasite that spreads through drinking contaminated water with human or animal feces. It leads to stomach cramps, slight fever and diarrhea.

Cholera
Another waterborne contagious disease that affects about 200,000 people worldwide every year is cholera. It is caused by a bacterium called Vibrio cholerae. Symptoms of cholera include copious diarrhea, vomiting and leg cramps. In some severe cases, it can lead to death due to dehydration.

Ringworm
This is a common fungal skin infection that causes ring shape patches on the skin. Although named ring'worm', due to its appearance on the skin, it is caused by a fungus. It causes pink, round patches on skin of the face, arms, legs and other parts of the body. Close body contact leads to transmission of this fungal infection to the healthy individual.

Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis or TB is caused by a bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis in humans. This bacterium attacks the lungs as it spreads through air. Coughing or sneezing by an infected individual causes the bacteria to become airborne and lead to infection in a healthy individual. If left untreated it leads to death in 50% of the cases. The characteristic symptoms of TB include chronic cough, blood tinged sputum, fever and excessive weight loss.

HIV/AIDS
One of the most common and dangerous contagious diseases today is HIV/AIDS. It is caused by transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This virus can be contracted by contaminated blood transfusions, use of contaminated injection needles, unprotected sex, transmission of body fluids during a sexual intercourse. However, HIV/AIDS does NOT spread through hand shakes, sharing of clothes, utensils, sitting close to an infected person, etc. You can read in detail about how is HIV transmitted and overcome some common misnomer about the disease.

Other common contagious diseases include mumps, measles, scarlet fever, whooping cough, malaria, typhoid, etc. As long as there are microorganisms around us, each and every one is susceptible to a contagious disease. We can take some precautions like washing hands frequently, covering our nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, avoiding sharing of towels and other personal items, etc. A healthy diet and lifestyle will ensure the body stays strong and is able to fight off any invading organism. A few precautions and one can avoid developing a serious infection to some extent.

Parasites in the Human Body

The human body can be a prey to more than 1,000 types of parasites. Parasite-induced diseases in humans body have reached an epidemic stage in some parts of the world including in the United States of America.

Parasites in the Human Body
We never think that while eating or drinking, we could, simultaneously, be making way for a lot of unwanted objects and organisms to enter our biological systems. It has been estimated that about 85% of the world's population suffers, or has suffered, a parasite-induced sickness at any given point of time.

The parasites in a human body enjoy the food that is eaten by the human being and they also suck out the nutrients from the host body. The human body is, then left without nutrients and burdened with wastes produced by these parasites. The parasites that live in the human body usually attach themselves to the intestinal walls and live on the tissue and blood. This leads to iron deficiency and anemia in the human body. Very often, we see that we ourselves feel hungry all the time and keep eating. However, we fail to notice that probably the food we are eating is being eaten by the resident parasites.

The most important fact about these parasitic organisms is that they have a highly developed survival mechanism due to which they spend all their time and energies in eating and reproducing without being much affected by the host's immune defenses. It also very difficult to get rid of these parasites from the human body as they reproduce very fast.

Types of Parasites in Humans
Some of the common types of parasites that can be found in the human body are as follows:

• Tapeworm: These are notorious for growing to a length of 30 feet. They are capable of producing approximately one million eggs per day. Tapeworms can be responsible for obesity in humans. A human being infested with tapeworm is always hungry as the tapeworms feed on the food, leaving no nutrients for the human they are feasting upon. Tapeworms enter the body from raw, infected meat. A variety of tapeworms are also said to cause seizures if they reach the brain.
• Pinworms: These are intestinal parasites. Pinworm infestation is difficult to avoid as their eggs are airborne. These parasites crawl out of the anal cavity at night causing severe itching. They usually lay their eggs on the bedding.
• Hookworm: 50% of the population worldwide is infested with hookworms. These parasites are curved in shape and align themselves to the intestinal wall and suck blood. They are about six inches in length and grayish in color.
• Red Worms: Red worms are similar to earthworms in appearance. They come out from the colon, curled into balls.
• Roundworms: These worms secrete a digestive liquid due to which the colon tissue is converted into a liquid form which is sucked up by these parasites.
• Tooth Amoeba: Although the name of this parasite has amoeba in it, they are actually parasites. These are human body parasites albeit relatively harmless. They make the cavity of the teeth their homes and live on microscopic food lodged in the mouth and clean your mouth. It is very difficult to remove them while brushing as they run for cover when they spot a toothbrush.
• Dust Mites: In some cases, dust mites cause allergies but they are harmless creatures per se. These are the cleaner parasites who clean up the skin and the scalp by eating dead cells.

The worst part about parasites in the human body is that even if the person is able to get rid of them, parasites will reinfect them. Very often, it has been noted that if a partner is infected with parasites, the other partner also gets infected. Therefore, it is advised that both undergo treatment to get rid of parasites together. In case, they have children, they should also be given the treatment simultaneously.

Causes of Lymphocele

The lymphatic system in vertebrates consists of a network of clear fluid that flows all through the body. This fluid is known as lymph. Lymph travels through lymphatic channels that flow all through the body. Lymph is the fluid that is formed when interstitial fluid enters the initial lymphatic system. However, when there is formation of an abnormal sac or cyst which contains lymphatic fluid, which has entered from either a diseased or injured lymphatic channel, then it is known as a lymphocele. There are many symptoms which help a person to recognize and identify this condition. However, these symptoms will vary depending on the location of the lymphocele.

How Does a Lymphocele Form?

Lymphoceles often occurs as a result of a complication after a surgical procedure. This is seen if the surgical procedure involved a very large area, due to which a lot of lymphatic tissue was involved. Due to this, if there is any kind of injury to the lymphatic vessel, there is leakage of lymph, which leads to formation of swellings which contain lymph. Thus, lymphoceles normally occur due to injury to the lymphatic vessels during surgery. However, there can be many differential diagnoses of a swelling which occurs after a postoperative surgical procedure. These include urinoma, hematoma, seroma or an abscess.

Lymphocele Due to Renal Transplant
A renal transplant is a major surgery that requires extensive pre and post operative care. It is important to deal on an emergency basis with a lymphocele. Renal transplant is a major surgery where one cannot take a risk of leaving a lymphocele in place, as this increases the chances of organ rejection, or may even hamper the functioning of the new kidney.

Lymphocele After Radical Hysterectomy
It is commonly seen that a lymphocele develops after a radical hysterectomy. A radical hysterectomy is normally done after a patient is diagnosed with aggressive uterine cancer, due to which the entire uterus needs to be removed. In fact, quite often, the doctors prefer to take preventive measures, like placing a drain, so as to decrease the possibility of any such complications.

Lymphocele After Thoracic Surgery
There have been cases where there has been the development of a lymphocele in the mediastinum, following a thoracic duct injury, which may have been iatrogenic in nature or due to a blunt trauma in the region.

Other Cases of Lymphocele
Certain other surgeries can also lead to complications like lymphocele, like pelvic and aortic lymphadenectomy, accounts for more than around 50% of iatrogenic injuries. One of the most common postoperative complications of a lymophadenectomy procedure is lymphocele. A lymphocele after a blunt injury to the thigh is relatively rare and may occur either after a pelvic surgery or due to crushing injury of the thigh or pelvic region. Pelvic lymphocele may occur due to blunt trauma from a motor vehicle collision as well, where there has not been any fracture to the bones.

More often than not, the surgeons leave a drain in place which help to get rid of the collected fluid. This is the standard protocol for lymphocele treatment. However, there are cases where the drainage does not take place completely, due to which the person may even require surgical intervention to help drain the lymphocele. Thus, it is important to always try to avoid a complication like a lymphocele after a surgical procedure, but if lymphocele symptoms do show up, then it is best to deal with this condition on an emergency basis.

Top Gifts for Women in 2012

Every new year brings with it lots of hope and aspirations for the future, and 2012 is no exception! Each one of us has our own way of ushering the new year and making it memorable. I remember, my mother's aunt used to knit jumpers for us children as new year gifts. Every year, we used to wait eagerly for that cute red jumper to arrive. So, in case you are someone like my mom's aunt who loves to gift people on new year, then you might be in search of some great gifts for your loved ones.

Top Gifts for Women in 2012

The new generation women effortlessly play with hi-tech gadgets and gizmos and at the same time flaunt their femininity in elegant jewelry and beautiful dresses. The point here is, there is really no dearth of options when it comes to gifting women. You can indeed go for their all time favorite diamond jewelry, if your budget permits. Bracelets, neck pieces, broaches, earrings are some favorite jewelry items for women. You can also get these items in white gold, silver or faux jewelry if your pockets aren't too deep. Dresses are a beautiful gift option, but then you need to know your lady's choice through and through. Besides, getting the right size can be a problem as well. Designer handbags and perfumes are a great option for those looking for classy and elegant gifts for mothers or wives.

As mentioned above, women do not shy away from using advanced gadgets, so you have that option open as well. If she is into listening music, then a latest model of 'Apple iPod touch' can be a great gift idea. If you are willing to stretch your budget for your ladylove then iPhone 4S, iPad 2, Kindle DX are some other gift choices to consider. If she is 'one of the guys', then you might consider giving her a PlayStation 3. For those looking for budget options, go through this list of top gifts under $25.

• Gift baskets
• Music CDs
• Movie DVDs
• Bath and Body Products
• Cosmetics
• Chocolate Boxes
• Flowers
• Potted Plants
• Photo Frames

Best 2012 Gifts for Women

If you really want to gift something memorable to your wife or girlfriend or mother, then you need to put a great deal of thought. Best gifts need not be smart and expensive, but they sure have to be thoughtful. Spending a day with his ladylove can be an ideal gift a man can give to his wife. If you two rarely get time for each other owing to professional commitments, then her birthday or your anniversary can be the best time to catch up on the lost time. Spend the day in each other's company doing things you both enjoy. You can shop, go for a movie, go backpacking or simply do nothing!

Another thoughtful gift idea would be giving her vouchers for spa, gym or any other activity that she enjoys. You can also get her a membership at local golf club if she is into it. That is something she will never do for herself. Another sweet gesture that is no less than a romantic gift is relieving her of household work for an entire week. Treat her to morning tea and breakfast and take care of children or arrange for a babysitter while you two enjoy each other's company. Alternatively one can also book a cruise or vacation for his ladylove.

Internet is a great resource for finding several customized and personalized merchandise. From personalized crockery to bathrobes to cell phone skin, you can get anything and everything custom-made as per your taste. Those looking for wacky gift ideas for their girlfriends or wives can explore several cheesy yet wacky options. You can gift her a pair of sexy lingerie or a really revealing outfit and ask her to dress up in it. However, go for this idea only if you share a serious, committed relationship with her, else it could backfire upon you.

You can come with your own gift ideas for the most important woman in your life. Do take her mood and liking into account before you plan anything for her. Do not forget to commemorate the day with a big bash.

Blue Fingernails

As the title suggests, it is a condition wherein the fingernails turn blue in color. The most common cause behind blue fingernails is cyanosis. Apart from cyanosis, it can also result from side effects of certain drugs and deficiency of hemoglobin in the body. We shall explain the details in the following segment.

Symptoms

Blue fingernails is represented primarily by a type of cyanosis. It occurs when blood oxygen levels go below normal. The red blood cells are starved of oxygen which gradually changes the color of nails to blue. It can also be caused due to presence of abnormal hemoglobin, i.e. methemoglobin or cyanide poisoning in blood. As a result blood vessels carry deoxygenated blood in it.

A person who frequently faces difficulty in breathing and gasps for breath is more often observed with blue colored nails. Profuse sweating and chest pain are some other symptoms associated with it. Numbness and paleness in arms, hands, and fingers might also be noticed. He tends to faint often and feels dizzy almost all the time. In some cases, cyanosis is a consequence of chronic lung and heart disease. Raynaud's phenomenon is a medical terminology for localized cyanosis, resulting in blue colored fingernails.

Apart from low oxygen density and hemoglobin problems, other reasons behind occurrence of blue fingernails are:

• Argyria
• Mepacrine
• Silver poisoning
• Wilson's disease
• Asthma
• Subungual hematoma
• Trauma
• Fracture
• Adult respiratory distress syndrome
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Cardiac tamponade
• Emphysema
• Pulmonary embolism
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Pulmonary edema
• Polycythemia vera
• Lissencephaly
• Chloroquine poisoning
• Wilson's disease

Occurrence During Pregnancy

Blue fingernails during pregnancy can be due to Vitamin B12 deficiency. It is also known as B12 malabsorption illness. Methylcobalamin is a compound synthesized by our body and it gets absorbed in the blood. Stress and excessive intake of medicines (antacids) during pregnancy can lower absorption of oxygen in the blood. This decreases the concentration of methylcobalamin, which further gives rise to blue colored fingernails. Macrocytic anemia and cyanosis also cause this condition in pregnant women.

Occurrence in Babies

Blue fingernails in babies could possibly be a birth defect, known as Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). It is actually a heart defect caused at the time of delivery when the temporary fetal blood vessel, connecting the aorta and pulmonary artery of mother's heart does not close. The symptoms of PDA are blue fingernails, blue lips, and shortness of breath while eating, crying, and performing any other physical activity. They are also likely to suffer from heart and lung disorder. In some cases, congestive heart failure and pulmonary edema can also take place.

Treatment

Whenever you doubt that the tinge of your fingernails or the underlying skin is gradually turning blue, never hesitate to visit a doctor. Oxygenation levels of the blood can be measured by a non-invasive pulse oximeter. Treatment begins after the underlying disorder is confirmed.

Treatment of PDA in children is complicated and it depends on the age of the child and severity of the symptoms. In infants the closure is often performed by medication (indomethacin dosage). Device closure or heart surgery is also performed in older children and full-grown infants. Such kind of surgeries are very sensitive and should be performed by expert surgeons.

Blue fingernails is definitely a cause of concern. You must see a doctor to rule out the underlying cause and get the necessary treatment done for complete cure.

Coffee and Blood Pressure

There has been a lot said and written about the connection between coffee and blood pressure, over the years. This issue has had a lot of controversial remarks from people all around the world, mainly due to the inconsistent results obtained by the several clinical studies performed. However, recent research has brought in light some interesting facts about the relation between coffee and blood pressure and has helped to develop a clearer opinion about coffee and blood pressure.

Coffee is one of the widely consumed beverages in the world. The main constituent of coffee is caffeine, which is a mild to moderate stimulant. It is naturally found in many nuts, berries and leaves of certain parts. Caffeine is consumed by people in all human cultures, in different forms, high blood mainly through coffee and tea. This is the main reason why the link between coffee and blood pressure has been an active field of study.

Does Coffee Raise the Blood Pressure?

This is a common question asked when debating about the pros and cons of drinking coffee. The caffeine content of coffee is higher than that of tea and that is the reason why drinking coffee has become a much debated issue. Caffeine is a natural stimulant that can cause nervousness and can raise the blood pressure. A stimulant is known to increase the activity of the central nervous system making the people feel focused and alert on consuming the stimulant. The increased activity due to the stimulant may also cause constriction of blood vessels and increase the blood pressure thus altering the blood supply to the heart. Let us read in detail how caffeine works.

Caffeine is a stimulant and as stated above, can cause elevation in the blood pressure due to blood vessels constriction. A hormone, adenosine, interacts with numerous brain cells and stimulates them to widen the arteries and allow proper blood supply. However, caffeine inhibits the release of adenosine, which may cause blood vessel constriction resulting in high blood pressure. Another thing that supports the association between coffee and blood pressure, is that caffeine is also known to stimulate the adrenal glands. Adrenal glands release or pump adrenaline throughout the body and can also cause rise in the blood pressure. Thus, caffeine or coffee, is believed to raise blood pressure.

However, the increased blood pressure does not last long. It is temporary and does not contribute to the serious problem of hypertension. Caffeine is a very mild stimulant and has a short life span in the body. Hence the caffeine induced blood pressure changes are small and short lived. Moreover, if taken in moderate amounts, that is around 300 mg a day, which comes to about 2 to 3 cups of coffee a day, it is not at all harmful. Studies indicate that the body develops a tolerance for caffeine if taken regularly and does not result in any long term effects on the blood pressure. Some researches say that non regular drinkers have a higher risk of heart diseases as there can be abrupt changes in the blood pressure due to the caffeine. It does, no matter what kind of coffee you drink as the connection between decaffeinated coffee and blood pressure is similar to that of caffeinated coffee.

This was all about coffee and blood pressure. So, enjoy your daily cup of coffee as earlier without thinking much of the association between black coffee and blood pressure! However, those with a blood pressure problem should limit their coffee consumption to a moderate level! Take care!

Take Blood Pressure Without Cuff

Blood pressure is defined as the pressure at which the blood is pumped out of the heart into the arterial vessels. Thus, it is the pressure exerted by the blood flow on the arterial walls. Blood pressure is an important indicator of any disease or disorder that may be occurring in the body. This simple parameter can be a vital indicator of diseases ranging from heart diseases to circulatory and blood disorders. Thus, it is important to know how to check blood pressure, whether at home or in the hospital. However, when there is a dearth of a sphygmomanometer and other important equipment, then there may be need for a person to know how to take blood pressure without cuff. On the other hand, thanks to technological advances, there are also some conditions where the device used to measure blood pressure can be done without the use of a cuff or the bulky combination of a sphygmomanometer and a stethoscope. Given below are the possible ways to take blood pressure with cuff.

How to Measure Blood Pressure Without a Cuff

Use of Pressure Probe
Although this barbaric method used to check blood pressure without cuff isn't used anymore, it's worth a mention! In the good old days, there was a method that in fact, till date, is the most reliable, yet the most aggressive method of taking blood pressure. This method consisted of placing an arterial pressure probe directly into the artery and measuring the pressure that the blood is exerting on the artery wall. Although not practiced anymore, this technique is sometimes used in exceptional cases like in certain cardiological examinations, like a coronarography or a catheterization. However, other exceptional cases where this method may also be employed include cases where the blood pressure is very high but the patient does not exhibit any symptoms. This may be a case of calcified arteries, in which case, the blood pressure will not be recorded accurately with the help of a sphygmomanometer and a stethoscope. Another exceptional case is when the patient is in the intensive care unit and requires constant monitoring of blood pressure. In such cases, a pressure probe is introduced into the artery of the thigh, which constantly measures the blood pressure.

Finger Blood Pressure Monitor
A new invention that has come up which helps to take blood pressure is the finger blood pressure monitor. The finger monitor is the latest technology that helps measure the blood pressure almost instantly in the most non-invasive way possible. This is a tiny digital device that works on batteries and consists of an electric monitor and a blood pressure sensor. There is a small finger compartment where the index finger of the person needs to be placed. Within a matter of seconds, the sensor reads the blood pressure in the finger and gives you the reading. This device is small and portable and hence, is preferred for regular monitoring of blood pressure in individuals, especially when the person is constantly on the go.

Thus, these were the main ways of how to check blood pressure without cuff. Although, there are new technologies that are coming up every now and then, like there is a patented device that uses a patch sensor to measure blood pressure. In this device, an adhesive patch is placed on the patient's head, which then measures the vital signs of the patient. However, the most common way of taking blood pressure correctly is with the help of a stethoscope and a sphygmomanometer. All said and done, what matters is measuring blood pressure correctly and getting as accurate readings as possible.

Urine Color and What it Means

According to medical experts, pale yellow to dark amber is the color of normal urine. However, it is an ideal scenario wherein, most people may have normal urine. There are various factors which can change the color of the urine. They include certain food sources, medications or some diseases. In most cases, the change in color turns out to be of mild nature, and does not necessarily has to be a symptom of any kind of disease unless accompanied by abnormal symptoms. Many types of foods, supplements and dyes are primarily responsible for bringing a change in the urine color.

Different Urine Colors and Their Meaning

As said, pale yellow is an indication of the urine being in a normal condition. Abnormal urine color could be brown, orange, dark yellow, pink or red, blue or dark green, purple, and cloudy or murky.

Color		Meaning
	Brown	Normally, eating a lot of foods such as fava beans, aloe, berries, beets and rhubarb results in turning the urine brown. The same could be caused due to certain medications such as the antimalarial ones or antibiotics. In extreme cases, it could indicate some diseases of or injury to the kidneys; common being kidney infection.
	Orange	In most cases, severe dehydration may make the urine highly concentrated such that it may become orange. Administration of certain medications could also be a culprit. Anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs that are used in chemotherapy, and laxatives could result in orange urine. B complex vitamins, and carrot juice at times could be responsible for orange tinted urine.
	Dark Yellow	Dehydration is a common diagnosis in a patient who experiences dark yellow urine. When the body senses a dearth in the required amount of fluid in it, wastes start accumulating in the urine thus, changing its color from light amber to dark yellow. Foods such as asparagus, and presence of high level of B complex vitamins in the body are also some of the causes. Dark yellow urine could also be an indicant of conditions of the liver such as jaundice or hepatitis, haemolytic anemia, and haematuria.
	Red	Pink or red urine may seem intimidating, but in most cases, it is not. It may be normal to see such urine after having beets, blackberries, etc. Antibiotics, and laxatives are medications that can cause the urine to have a red tint. One obvious meaning may be the presence of blood in the urine. Now this could be a result of conditions such as urinary tract infections, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and benign or cancerous tumors. Red urine could also indicate problems with kidneys such as formation of stones in the organs, or formation of cysts in the same.
	Pink
	Dark Green	Apart from certain medicines that contain methylene blue, dyes used in foods or in medical tests may normally result in blue or dark green urine. In rare cases, this type of urine could be a symptom of a condition known as blue diaper syndrome. It tends to occur mostly in infants, making their diapers stained with blue urine thus, the name. People with urinary tract infection which is caused by the pseudomonas bacteria, may also exhibit green hued urine.
	Blue
	Cloudy or Murky	A urine that is cloudy warrants the development of an infection; most commonly one of the urinary tract. And if it is accompanied by an unpleasant odor, then it confirms UTI. Kidney stones could cause pus in the urine thus, making it cloudy or murky. Gonorrhea causes vaginal discharge, and pus like penile discharge. This may also give the urine a cloudy appearance.
	Deep Purple	Porphyria is a rare medical condition that affects the nervous system or/and skin. It is a genetic disorder wherein, body chemicals called porphyrins start building up. And one of the many symptoms of this condition is deep purple urine.

As mentioned at the beginning of the article, pale yellow to deep amber is an identifying characteristic of normal urine. Having said that, if your urine is colorless, then it is unlikely for it to be a sign of good health. It may signify that you are drinking too much water, or you have a condition known as diabetes insipidus. Note that, this diabetes is unrelated to the commonly talked about diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes). So you see, urine color as simple as it is, is an important indicant of so many health conditions. Understand that, if your urine color is different from what is considered normal, and is accompanied by abnormal symptoms, then it warrants a visit to your doctor or urologist at the earliest. Take care!