Doctor's Insight

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a serious health condition that can lead to heart attacks, strokes and dementia. Countries around the world are releasing new guidelines for diagnosing hypertension as there are clear benefits in reducing blood pressure. Studies have shown that keeping blood pressure at a low level can help prevent serious brain, heart and kidney diseases in the future. Find out simple ways to lower your blood pressure in your daily lives.

Is your blood pressure "normal" at the doctor's office? Are you reassured by those readings? Well, not so fast. There's a type of high blood pressure that's hard to detect called "masked hypertension." It's a dangerous type of high blood pressure that can lead to sudden death. In order to unmask "masked hypertension," we need to measure our blood pressure at home. Home blood pressure monitoring is widespread in Japan and is easier than you think. Find out how to use a home blood pressure monitor to get a true reading.

Although sodium reduction is essential to lowering blood pressure, many of us still take in too much salt. Japanese food is known for its great taste and health benefits, but it's often high in sodium. In this program, we will introduce tips on lowering salt by half with a staple Japanese dish. By applying these tips, you can reduce sodium with dishes in your countries. Also find out about salt-reduction initiatives that have resulted in health benefits.

Hypertension could lead to potentially life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks and strokes, but it's often left untreated because there are no symptoms at all. What needs to be done to protect the health of people who are unaware of their high blood pressure or those who don't bother to treat this dangerous condition? How will they become proactive about treatment? Find out how Japan tackles this problem with a unique system designed to support individuals with high blood pressure.

The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has become a global pandemic. What can we do to reduce the risks of infection for ourselves and the people around us? The key is to acquire accurate knowledge and act calmly. What are the clinical features of the new coronavirus? How does a virus proliferate? Find out the answers to these questions as well as basic steps such as how to properly wash your hands and wear a face mask.

The outbreak of COVID-19 is impacting our work and our daily lives. With the anxiety of catching the virus and the restrictions put on our lives, many of us may be experiencing stress without even knowing it. Building up stress can lead to health problems and the key to managing stress is to establish a daily routine. What can we do in our daily lives? Find out simple exercises to work off stress and the secret to building your tolerance to anxiety.

COVID-19 poses a higher risk of serious illness for people with underlying conditions. Recent studies show that heart patients particularly have a high mortality rate. People with heart failure, a form of heart disease, have symptoms similar to COVID-19 and this can lead to late detection of the infection. What are the signs to look out for? How can heart patients prevent serious illness? Find out tips on what people with heart conditions can do in their daily lives.

COVID-19 can cause serious illness for people with underlying conditions. Kidney disease patients, increasing globally, need to be extra careful. Recent studies found that immunosuppressive drugs used for treating kidney conditions increase the risk of infection. Furthermore, kidney patients that do get infected have a higher risk of developing pneumonia and even acute kidney injury. What can they do to avoid becoming severely ill from COVID-19? Find out coronavirus tips that kidney patients can apply in their everyday lives from an expert in treating kidney disease.

Underlying health conditions are said to increase the risk for severe COVID-19. People with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) mainly caused by smoking need to be especially careful. They are more susceptible to the novel coronavirus and to infection in general. This is due to the impaired function of the "cilia" in the airway that protects us from viruses. It's crucial to quit smoking and avoid becoming infected. Find out the precautions COPD patients should take to protect themselves.

Underlying health conditions are said to increase the risk for severe COVID-19. Diabetes patients have more than twice the mortality rate and risk of severe illness from COVID-19 compared to non-diabetics. Studies also found that severe symptoms can be seen not only in the lungs but other organs such as the heart and kidneys. Keeping the blood sugar level normal is key to protecting yourself from the virus. Find out specific ways to control your blood sugar level and tips to reduce the risk.

Older adults and people with underlying conditions are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19. It's more important than ever for people in high-risk groups to maintain good health and avoid getting infected. They should also take steps to protect themselves by getting vaccinated for other diseases. We will look at the various types of underlying conditions and find out what we can do to keep the number of severe cases and fatalities from rising. Learn about the impact this crisis has had on the healthcare system and the lessons we have learned so far.

Vision is one of the most important of our senses and plays a critical role in our daily lives. Nonetheless, the WHO has estimated that more than 2 billion people around the world have a vision impairment or blindness. Some types of eye diseases can greatly impact our lives and early detection is key. Find out the warning signs and symptoms of common eye problems.

The prevalence of myopia, or nearsightedness, is rapidly increasing worldwide and particularly in East Asia. The WHO estimates 1.3 billion people with myopia in 2000, 2.5 billion in 2020, and 5 billion people by the year 2050. Do you consider nearsightedness as a simple problem that can be corrected with prescription glasses or contact lenses? Recent studies have shown that myopia increases the risk of blindness. Find out the hidden risks of myopia and what we can do about it.

What are cataracts? People with cataracts experience blurry or cloudy vision, glare and even double vision. In Japan, 60-80% of those in their 60's, 90% of those in their 70's and 100% of those over 80 years old are reported to have developed some degree of cataracts. This tendency is the same anywhere in the world regardless of race. The cause is found in the natural lens of the eye. Find out the mechanisms of cataracts and its latest treatment options.

Have you experienced problems with your eyesight? Do objects appear distorted? Is there a blind spot in the center of your field of view? They may be signs of a retinal disease called "age-related macular degeneration" or AMD. AMD is the leading cause of blindness in the US and in Europe. In Japan, it is the 4th leading cause, but the number of cases is rising. What is AMD? Find out about the different types of AMD and how to perform a self-test for this eye disease.

The retina is a layer of tissue in the back of our eyes. It acts as a screen where images are projected. We need a healthy retina to see things clearly. However, diabetes can slowly damage the retina. According to the WHO, among the 420 million people with diabetes worldwide, 1 in 3 people have diabetic retinopathy, a retinal disease caused by diabetes. People with good vision can experience sudden vision loss. Find out how to protect yourself from this silent killer of eyesight.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in many countries. An estimated 76 million people are living with glaucoma worldwide. In Japan, it is the leading cause of visual impairment including blindness. 1 in 20 people over the age of 40 is reported to have glaucoma, but it's hard to detect. It is thought that 90% of people living with glaucoma are unaware of it. Why is the disease hard to notice? Find out how to detect glaucoma early in order to protect your vision.