Neurogenic hypertension: report of five cases to highlight the controversy

The entity of "neurogenic hypertension" is defined as arterial hypertension caused explicitly by derangement of the intricate network of the central nervous system. Among 193 cases of cranial rhizopathies operated on between 1984 and 1995 at this center, 5 cases of established arterial hypertension with concomitant rhizopathies also underwent ventrolateral medullary decompression. The elevated blood pressure showed an incredible decline, reaching normal values after vascular decompression. The systolic blood pressure however showed a much greater fall than the diastolic component. An endeavour is made to throw light on the cases operated on with special emphasis on the central nervous system as an etiological factor to explain the cause of essential hypertension

Cigarette, a friend or foe

'It remains an established fact and an unpalatable truth that smoking plays havoc with the body and brings about incalculable harm. The purpose of this study was to dig out the forces that impel the smokers to take refuge in it. The study conducted in the form of a questionnaire encompassed all strata of the society. Those interviewed included both sexes of smokers and ex-smokers from all age groups. The answers that became available from the study were amazing and alarming. More than 50% of those interviewed had an unfailing faith and a deceptive conviction that smoking keeps them calm, tranquil and elevates their mood. Some 5% of the smokers were of the opinion that it caused headaches and killed their appetite. Some smokers, mostly female, despised it but had singularly failed to give it up