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The human body is constantly changing in response to an array of factors stress, medications, what you eat, how you sleep. This is definitely true of blood pressure, particularly the top number in the blood pressure measurement, the systolic blood pressure. In fact, there is a phenomenon called “white coat hypertension,” in which blood pressure goes up when the measurement is taken at the doctor’s office because you’re nervous about having it checked! A friend of mine was recently in the hospital, hooked up to a display that checked his blood pressure every 15 minutes, with tremendous variation. It nearly drove him crazy. n

When to worry If you get a high reading several times in a month, talk to your doctor untreated high blood pressure can lead to heart disease and stroke. Extremely elevated blood pressure (systolic pressure over 180 or diastolic pressure over 110) is a medical emergency. n

27 Mistakes Healthy People Make n

Don’t worry about A blood test result that’s a little high or low n

Even if the lab report says the number is out of normal range, that value is most likely normal for you. For his entire life, my husband has had a slightly low platelet count, but he has never had bleeding problems (platelets help with clot formation). No problem, no disease. Part of the reason a new doctor does routine blood work when you’re feeling good is so that she can learn what is typical for you. n

Don’t worry about Low blood pressure n

You know the saying “You can never be too rich or too thin”? Low blood pressure is kind of like that. It puts less stress on your organs, so it’s generally considered a good thing. n

When to worry If low blood pressure leaves you feeling lightheaded or faint, or if you feel your heart fluttering, then you need to see a doctor. n

Don’t worry about A couple days of nausea, vomiting or diarrhea n

People want to know if it’s food poisoning or a virus, but in terms of healing, it doesn’t really matter. If there is no intense abdominal pain, high fever or blood in your stool, your body will take care of it. The important thing is not to get dehydrated. I prefer that old favorite, flat ginger ale, but any clear liquid, like water or Gatorade, will do. n

When to worry If you feel faint or are vomiting up blood, get to the doctor. n

15 Signs You May Have an Iron Deficiency n

Don’t worry about Painless lumps n

As bodies age, they develop a wide variety of lumps. The overwhelming majority of them are not cancerous. The causes of lumps are so numerous that it is impossible to give a complete list here, but they range from benign cysts to fatty deposits under the skin (called lipomas). Make sure you show them to your doctor on your next visit, but try not to be too alarmed. n

When to worry Some lumps should be evaluated as soon as possible. Breast lumps should never be ignored. Lumps that are tender, warm and red could be from underlying infections that need treatment. Hard or fast growing lumps should also be seen promptly. n

Don’t worry about Bleeding n

In terms of species survival, it’s probably good that the sight of blood provokes panic. But most of us panic more than we should. Cuts on certain parts of the body, like the scalp, can bleed profusely, but that shouldn’t necessarily cause alarm. Put pressure on a cut for 5 to 10 minutes to see if you can get it to stop bleeding. If you can’t, or if the two sides of the slice seem widely separated, you may need stitches to help healing. n

When to worry If you’re not sure whether a cut needs stitches, it’s not wise to wait and see. Wounds need to be stitched within 24 hours or the risk of infection rises markedly. n

Don’t worry about A little rectal bleeding n

The most embarrassed call I receive concerns blood on toilet paper or in the bowl. It is almost always related to hemorrhoids or small cuts in the rectal area rather than a sign of an ulcer or cancer. Try taking a stool softener, or eat more fruits and vegetables to do the same trick. n

When to worry If the bleeding persists for more than two or three days or is painful, head to the doctor. n

18 Reasons Why Your Stomach Hurts n

Don’t worry about Sharp, localized chest pain n

We tend to associate the chest with the heart, but there are lungs, bones, muscles and digestive organs in there, too. Sometimes chest pain that’s worse with a cough, a deep breath or movements of the torso, like lifting or twisting, can be caused by strains or irritation in the small muscles and ligaments that surround the ribs. These can be due to injury or a viral infection and generally resolve themselves a nonsteroidal medicine like ibuprofen may help in the meantime. n

When to worry If you are also short of breath or have a fever, see a doctor. In that case, sharp, localized pain could be a sign of a lung problem. And if you have any doubt about whether you should get medical help for chest pain, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. n

Don’t worry about Rashes n

During my medical training, I had an itchy rash on my arms and legs. It lasted two weeks and went away. I still have no idea what it was. Minor rashes are part of life, and no cause will be found for many of them. Use common sense to treat symptoms u2014taking an antihistamine or applying hydrocortisone cream can help with itching, for example u2014and think about new products or foods you’ve come in contact with so you can try to avoid a recurrence. Have you used any new shampoos? Is the rash only on the legs (in that case, think plant allergy)? Only on areas exposed to the sun? Only on areas under clothing? n

When to worry If an itchy rash comes on suddenly while taking a medicine (particularly an antibiotic) or eating a new food, seek immediate medical attention, especially if you also have shortness of breath or difficulty swallowing. It could be the start of a life threatening allergic reaction. Also, if the itching is unbearable despite over the counter treatment, you might need something stronger, like a short course of steroids. n

19 Signs Your Thyroid Isn u2019t Working Right n

Should you worry more? n

As I said, usually my advice involves calming unneeded anxiety. Most of my friends are worriers. But there is another type of patient u2014the denier u2014and those people should worry more. That group would include my own husband. So if you’re one of them, here are a few things that should always prompt an urgent medical visit chest pain or pressure that you can’t localize with one finger and comes back every time you exercise the worst headache of your life intense abdominal pain, particularly if accompanied by fever and shortness of breath severe enough that you have trouble finishing a sentence. This list is by no means complete, but these symptoms should set off immediate alarms. Put down this magazine and see a real doctor! n

Elisabeth Rosenthal is a correspondent for The New York Times and a graduate of Harvard Medical School. n

This article originally appeared on

Arlington heights bans e-cigarettes for minors – chicagotribune.com

Bbc news – call for restrictions on sale of electronic cigarettes to children

Although there is already such a law on the books at the state level, Niedrich said his department wanted to be able to regulate at the local level.

Without e cigarettes identified in the village code, local police would have to turn to the Cook County state’s attorney to prosecute offenders. Minors found buying them or businesses selling them to minors could be charged with a misdemeanor offense.

“There are certain violations that better lend themselves to local ordinance enforcement,” Niedrich said. “In generic terms, a local ordinance is often a first step prior to charging someone under a state charge.”

Now, Arlington Heights police can cite an offender, who would then be prosecuted by the village prosecutor. Niedrich said the process is more in line with what local police do when enforcing alcohol or tobacco violations.

The Arlington Heights based Township High School District 214 incorporated e cigarettes in its student policy a year ago. It was approved by the school board in April 2013 at the suggestion of the Illinois Association of School Boards, officials said.

Superintendent David Schuler said the district’s high school deans have not reported e cigarettes as a problem, but that the school system wanted to proactively “nip it in the bud.”

And although the school district does not track student tobacco use, Schuler said he’s seen a decline in young people smoking overall.

“It would appear to me as if we have fewer and fewer of our young students smoking in general,” Schuler said. “My guess is it has something to do with the anti smoking campaigns that have been waged over time.”

Niedrich similarly reported no issues in the community. Still, he said that e cigarettes were a concern for police because of its growing popularity, which he called an expanding issue in society.

“These things are made with different flavors so there is concern that this will appeal to younger people who won’t recognize the risks that e cigarettes can present,” he said. “Locally, it hasn’t been a problem yet. We’re attempting to get ahead of the curve on this.”

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