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Normah Newsletter -
Issue No. 2 /2002
- Give your eyes a break
Take a vision break after 30 to 40 minutes of near work, like
reading, writing, using a computer, sewing, playing hand-held
computer games. Look at distant objects or look out of the window
for three to five minutes.
- When reading
* Your book should be about 30cm away from your eyes. Sit upright
in a comfortable chair.
* Make sure the room has adequate lighting. Try not to let
excessive glare shine directly onto your book or on your face.
* If possible, choose books that have larger print.
- When watching TV or playing video games
* Sit at least 2m away from the screen
* Don't sit in the dark. Switch on the room light.
* Try not to watch television while lying down. The centre of the
screen should be at your eye level or lower.
- When using the Computer
* Place the monitor screen about 50cm away from your eyes.
* Make sure the room has adequate lighting
* Adjust your monitor screen to reduce glare.
- Eye Check-ups
* Go for regular eye check-ups.
* Myopic children should get their eyes examined once a year.
* For adults with no eye problems, an eye examination should be
done once every two to four years after age 40, and once every one
to two years after age 60.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE - Is
your Number Up?
Your blood pressure varies throughout the day and
also varies with exercise, fear and pain. It usually
rises when you are nervous or excited. Temporary rises
in blood pressure are normal. It is common to note blood
pressure rises with increasing age. In some people, the
pressure remains persistently higher than it should be.
When the blood pressure reading is more than 140/90mmHg,
this condition is known as high blood pressure or
hypertension.
The Silent Killer
The problem with high blood pressure is that you may
feel perfectly well (i.e. without any symptoms) and look
healthy despite having a raised blood pressure for
years. By the time complications arise, it is often too
late as they can be fatal e.g. heart attack, stroke,
kidney failure.
|
Blood Pressure |
Systolic (mmHg) |
Diastolic (mmHg) |
| Normal |
Less than 130 |
Less than 85 |
| High-Normal |
130 - 139 |
85 - 89 |
| Hypertension
(mild) |
140 - 159 |
90 - 99 |
| Hypertension
(moderate) |
160 - 179 |
100 - 109 |
| Hypertension
(severe) |
180 or higher |
110 or higher |
High blood pressure makes your heart pump harder and
your arteries carry blood with greater pressure. If high
blood pressure continues for a long time, it leads to
malfunction of the heart, less elastic and hardened
arteries and damage to other body organs. As a result,
it increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, kidney
failure and heart attack.
Source: MEDLINEplus Health Information
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