Pulmonary Hypertension

Ken Parker was a model worker, smashing out 40 benchtops a day. Dinh Tran migrated to Australia and happily found work. Ken, Dinh and others like them have silicosis, acquired from inhaling dust from the cutting of engineered stone. Benchtops made from engineered stone have become popular across the nation. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size The dust from cutting engineered stone benchtops and vanities is killing Australian tradies. See all 9 stories . Perched on the end of his chair and struggling to breathe, 56-year-old Dinh Tran uses all his strength to point to the table to his left. "They are my friends," he says, referring to the bottles of pills waiting in line to relieve him of some of his pain and anxiety. The other hand pats an oxygen tank. "I see them every day. They're all my friends," he smiles wryly. Tran is dying of silicosis, an incurable, preventable, work-related lung disease which was caused in his case by inhaling tiny p...

A peptide called apelin-17 may be used as a diagnostic biomarker for idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH), according to the results of a new study. Apelin-17 levels were found to detect IPAH with an accuracy similar to NT-proBNP and GDF-15 — two established biomarkers for pulmonary hypertension (PH) prognosis and risk assessment. Further, blood levels of the peptide also were elevated in patients with another form of PH, the researchers noted. "This finding suggests that apelin-17 may not only be a marker for IPAH but for pulmonary hypertension, in general," the team wrote. The study, " Apelin-17 to diagnose idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension: A biomarker study ," was published in the journal Frontiers in Physiology . Recommended Reading Apelin-17 peptide a new diagnostic biomarker for IPAH PAH is characterized by the narrowing of pulmonary arteries — the blood vessels that transp...

It's normal for your blood pressure readings to fluctuate throughout the day, and this can depend on several factors like exercise, daily sodium intake, and stress. The American Heart Association defines normal blood pressure as 120/80 mmHg. However, when your blood pressure readings consistently hits at 140/90 mmHg, this considered hypertension. High blood pressure can damage your vascular system, servings as a risk factor of other serious diseases and health conditions, like heart disease, stroke, cognitive issues, and kidney disease. But there are ways to help lower your blood pressure, and this includes incorporating certain foods into diet while avoiding others. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a serious health condition that can stem from lifestyle choices as well as other preexisting conditions, such as family history, age, and even race. There are health conditions that can also increase the risk of developing hypertension, like diabetes and obesity. Ac...

A stuffy nose can be caused by inflammation in the nasal blood vessels and sinuses. It can also be caused by excessive mucous secretion. There are several medications available that can help with nasal congestion, but it's best to avoid them unless the condition is serious enough. In this article, we bring out easy and simple home remedies and tips that might help with congestion without needing chemical medications. What Causes Stuffy Nose? Colds, flu, and allergies can trigger inflammation in nasal blood vessels and cause a stuffy nose. They cause difficulty in breathing, especially at night. Temperature fluctuations, pollution, and dry air can cause a stuffy nose too. Read on to learn more about ways to relieve congestion without any hassle. Easy Remedy for Stuffy Nose "> Humidifiers can help reduce nasal decongestion. (Image via Unsplash/Ulla Shinami) A humidifier machine converts water to moisture and releases it into the air, in...