C. elegans

Hypertension
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Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Headache, dizziness, shortness of breath
Complications	Heart disease, stroke, kidney failure
Onset	Gradual
Duration	Long term
Types	N/A
Causes	Genetics, diet, lifestyle
Risks	Obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption
Diagnosis	Blood pressure measurement
Differential diagnosis	N/A
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Lifestyle changes, medication
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	Common
Deaths	N/A

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a chronic medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. It is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke.

Signs and Symptoms

Hypertension is often called the "silent killer" because it typically has no symptoms until it has caused significant damage to the heart and arteries. Some people with high blood pressure may experience headaches, dizziness, or shortness of breath.

Causes

The exact cause of hypertension is often unknown, but several factors can contribute to its development, including:

• Genetics
• Unhealthy diet, particularly high salt intake
• Lack of physical activity
• Obesity
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Smoking

Diagnosis

Hypertension is diagnosed by measuring blood pressure using a sphygmomanometer. A reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher is generally considered high.

Treatment

Treatment for hypertension typically involves lifestyle changes and medication. Lifestyle changes may include:

• Eating a healthy diet
• Reducing salt intake
• Engaging in regular physical activity
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Limiting alcohol consumption
• Quitting smoking

Medications used to treat hypertension include diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers.

Complications

If left untreated, hypertension can lead to serious health problems, including:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Kidney failure
• Vision loss

Prevention

Preventing hypertension involves adopting a healthy lifestyle, such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol use.

See Also

• Cardiovascular disease
• Blood pressure
• Heart attack

External Links

• World Health Organization: Hypertension
• CDC: High Blood PressureCaenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is a free-living, transparent nematode (roundworm), about 1 mm in length, that lives in temperate soil environments. It is an important model organism in genetics, developmental biology, neuroscience, and aging research. The simplicity of its body plan, which consists of exactly 959 somatic cells in the adult hermaphrodite, and its well-characterized genome, have made it a prime subject for biological study.

Biology and Genetics

C. elegans has a short life cycle of about 3 days at 25°C and can be easily cultured in large numbers. Its genome was the first to be completely sequenced among multicellular organisms, revealing about 20,000 genes. Genetic, cellular, and molecular interactions are studied in C. elegans largely through mutagenesis and gene sequencing techniques. The worm's hermaphroditic nature (possessing both male and female reproductive organs) simplifies genetic crosses, and males are used for outcrossing purposes.

Research and Contributions

C. elegans has contributed significantly to our understanding of the genetic basis of development, including the regulation of gene expression, signal transduction pathways, and programmed cell death. The discovery of RNA interference (RNAi) in C. elegans, which allows the silencing of genes in a sequence-specific manner, was a groundbreaking achievement that has been applied in various fields of biology and medicine.

Anatomy and Physiology

Despite its simplicity, C. elegans exhibits complex behaviors such as feeding, mating, and locomotion. It has a simple nervous system consisting of 302 neurons, making it an excellent model for studying the development and function of neural networks. The transparency of C. elegans allows researchers to observe cellular processes in living organisms using fluorescent microscopy.

C. elegans in Space

C. elegans was the first multicellular organism to have its entire genome sequenced and has been sent into space for research purposes. Studies in microgravity environments help scientists understand the effects of space travel on biological organisms and the potential for life beyond Earth.

Community and Resources

The C. elegans research community is supported by several comprehensive databases and resources, including WormBase, which provides genetic and genomic information for researchers. International meetings and symposia facilitate collaboration and exchange of ideas among scientists working with C. elegans.