• internal bleeding,
• kidney failure,
• mental confusion,
• coma,
• body fluid accumulation, and
• frequent infections.

Edema is the swelling of tissues as a result of excess water accumulation. Peripheral edema occurs in the feet and legs. There are two types of edema, non-pitting edema and pitting edema. Causes of pitting edema is caused by systemic diseases (most commonly involving the heart, liver, and kidneys), and medications. Local conditions that cause edema are thrombophlebitis and varicose veins. Edema or swelling of the legs, feet, ankles, and face are common during pregnancy. Idiopathic edema is edema in which the cause is not known. Pitting edema is scored on pitting edema measurement scales. Edema is generally treated with medication.

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a disease in which pressure within the arteries of the body is elevated. About 75 million people in the US have hypertension (1 in 3 adults), and only half of them are able to manage it. Many people do not know that they have high blood pressure because it often has no has no warning signs or symptoms.

Systolic and diastolic are the two readings in which blood pressure is measured. The American College of Cardiology released new guidelines for high blood pressure in 2017. The guidelines now state that blood normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. If either one of those numbers is higher, you have high blood pressure.

The American Academy of Cardiology defines high blood pressure slightly differently. The AAC considers 130/80 mm Hg. or greater (either number) stage 1 hypertension. Stage 2 hypertension is considered 140/90 mm Hg. or greater.

If you have high blood pressure you are at risk of developing life threatening diseases like stroke and heart attack.

REFERENCE: CDC. High Blood Pressure. Updated: Nov 13, 2017.

High blood pressure (hypertension) medications include drugs from a variety of different drug classes and types.

• ACE inhibitors
• ARB (angiotensin receptor blockers)
• Beta blockers
• Calcium channel blockers (CCBs)
• Diuretics
• Alpha-blockers
• Alpha-beta blockers

Clonidine (Catapres) and minoxidil also are drugs prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure. Side effects, warnings and precautions, safety information, and pregnancy and breastfeeding safety information should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.

Kidney failure can occur from an acute event or a chronic condition or disease. Prerenal kidney failure is caused by blood loss, dehydration, or medication. Some of the renal causes of kidney failure include sepsis, medications, rhabdomyolysis, multiple myeloma, and acute glomerulonephritis.

Post renal causes of kidney failure include bladder obstruction, prostate problems, tumors, or kidney stones.Treatment options included diet, medications, or dialysis.

• paralysis of the vocal cords,
• difficulty swallowing thin liquids,
• difficulty breathing,
• and drug reactions.

• damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve,
• bleeding or hematoma,
• problems maintaining calcium levels in the blood,
• need for further and more aggressive surgery,
• need for a limited or total thyroidectomy,
• prolonged pain,
• impaired healing,
• and recurrence of the tumor.