Preserve Your Health

Symbols and signs represent and stand as substitutes for actual objects, experiences and activities. In this sense they cannot be confined to words and mathematical numerals and terms. Traffic lights, railways signals, school bells, badge, songs, flags, and slogans all stand for the symbolic expression. These symbols and signs stimulate and economize thinking. They at once tell us what to do or how to act. For example, the waiving of other green flag by the guard tells us that the train list about to move and we should get in the train. Similarly, the mathematical symbol for subtraction will get in the train. Similarly, the mathematical symbol for subtraction (-) tells a child what he has to do. The conclusion drawn by Boring, Lang field and Weld for emphasizing the role of symbols and signs in to the process of thinking is worth mentioning. They write “symbols and signs are thus seen to be the pawn and pieces with which the great game of thinking is played and It could not be such a remarkable and successful game without them” (1961).

Language: Language is the most efficient and developed vehicle used for carrying out the process of thinking. When one listens or reads or writes words, phrases or sentences or observes gesture In any language, one is stimulated too think. Reading and Writing is of the promoting our thinking process.

This type of thinking is chiefly aimed at creating something new. It is in search of new relationship and associations too describe and interpret the nature of things, events and situations. It is not bound by any pre-established rules. The individual himself, usually, formulates the problem and he is free to collect evidence and to invent tools for its solution. The thinking of the scientists or investors is an example of creative thinking.

Non-directed or Associative Thinking: In strict psychological sense, what we have discussed above in terms of the type or categories of thinking constitutes real or genuine thinking. It is essentially a directed thinking which pertains to reasoning and problem-solving procedures aimed at meeting specific goals. However, there are times non-directed and without goals. It is reflected through day-dreaming, dreaming, free associations, fantasy, delusions and other flowing uncontrolled activities. In psychological language such forms of thought are referred to as associative thinking.

Blood pressure is defined as the pressure exerted on the walls of the blood vessels by the blood flowing through it. It is an indicator of the compliance of the arteries and also proves valuable to any physician in the diagnosis of a disease. Elevated blood pressure is known as Hypertension. It is a common health problem with devastating consequences at times but often remains asymptomatic till late in life. Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for coronary artery disease and Cerebrovascular accidents. Hypertension when left uncontrolled may lead to renal failure, aortic dissection and heart failure. It is acknowledged that hypertension is a complex disease with both genetic and environmental determinants. The detrimental effects of hypertension increase proportionately with rise in blood pressure. A sustained diastolic pressure greater than 90mm of Hg or a sustained systolic pressure in excess of 140 mm of Hg constitutes hypertension. There are two classes of hypertension:

Essential Hypertension – Unknown cause, probably genetic

Accelerated Hypertension – Severe hypertension

Gene defects in aldosterone metabolism or mutations in proteins that affect sodium re-absorption can lead to severe forms of hypertension. Stress, smoking, physical inactivity, obesity and heavy consumption of salt are implicated as factors in hypertension.
Treatment modalities consist of –

• Exercising.

• Low salt intake.

• Anti-hypertensive drugs such as Altace, Losar, Propranolol hydrochloride

Hypertension is better prevented than trying to control.