There are four basic physical attributes that can provide an initial idea of the health status of a person. These four can be quantitatively measured and have qualitative impacts on the one's physical conditions. Each have normal ranges that mark a healthy body. Any increase above or decrease below the borderline measures can mean damage to physical organs.
The four vital signs are:- Body Temperature
- Pulse Rate - 12 - 18 breaths per minute
- Respiration Rate - 60 - 100 beats per minute
- Blood Pressure
Body Temperature The normal range for body temperature is 97.8 - 99.1 degrees Fahrenheit / average 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a measure of the total heat that affects one's body. Factors include muscle activity, digestion, the flow of blood, and external body temperature. Certain ill health symptoms such as fever add to body temperature. Actual illnesses like Gastro Esophageal Reflux disease add to body temperature when excess stomach acid moves from the stomach upwards to the esophagus (thus heating the heart and blood). Other ill health conditions directly lower body temperature. One example is hypothermia which is a fatal condition of overexposure to freezing temperatures.
Current environmental conditions cause extreme body temperature and can either lead to Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke. The first is caused by the decrease of electrolytes in the human body slowly stopping vital internal organs from functioning, eventually leading to coma or death. The latter is cause by shock to the heart and brain when there's lack of oxygen along with the overwork of both organs during the heat.
Blood Pressure The normal range for blood pressure is 90/60 mm/Hg to 120/80 mm/Hg. Each measure is in the form of a fraction like combination. The first number is the systolic which measures the pressure of blood in the veins when the heart pumps. The second is the diastolic which measures the pressure of blood in the veins when the heart is at rest.
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For today's activity:
Aside from the usual post for each meeting, you will find out the following through research and make a summary report on the blog comment regarding the following:
- Difference between Pulse Rate and Respiration Rate.
- What are the implications of low and high a) Pulse Rate, b) Respiration Rate, c) Systolic), and d) Diastolic.
