The Silent Killer "Hypertension"
Hypertension, often referred to as the "#Silent Killer," is the sustained blood pressure in your body. Its defined by the exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels with each heartbeat. This chronic disease is increasingly prevalent in our modern lifestyle and is a significant contributor to strokes and heart diseases. Many people suffer from hypertension without realizing it, often being accidentally diagnosed during routine health checks.
Types of Hypertension
Hypertension is broadly categorized into primary and secondary types:
1. Primary (Essential) Hypertension: This type lacks an identifiable underlying cause and is influenced largely by poor lifestyle habits.
2. Secondary Hypertension: This type has identifiable medical causes, such as kidney disease or hormonal disorders.
3. Age-related hypertension occurs due to the hardening of the vessel walls (arteriosclerosis). Normal blood pressure is generally considered to be around 120/80 mm Hg.
Risk Factors; Who’s at Risk?
Understanding the risk factors can help in prevention and management:
a. Genetics & Family History: A significant familial predisposition.
b. Faulty Diet: High intake of salt, fats, and commercial foods.
c. Obesity & Physical Inactivity: Lack of movement can exacerbate the condition.
d. Socio-economic and Psychosomatic Factors: Stress, tension, and anxiety.
e. Addictions: Alcohol, smoking, tobacco, and caffeine.
f. Sleep Disorders: Poor sleep quality and insomnia.
Signs & Symptoms; Clinical Presentation:
Hypertension is often symptomless but can manifest subtly. Commonly overlooked symptoms include:
Frequent headaches
Excessive thirst and dry mouth
Palpitations
Excessive sweating
Dizziness and vertigo
Ringing in the ears
Blurred vision
Restlessness and anxiety
Stiffness in the neck and back
Tingling and numbness in fingertips
Self-Care Tips for Managing #Hypertension
Adopting lifestyle modifications can significantly manage and even prevent hypertension:
I. Blood Pressure Monitoring: Regularly check your blood pressure.
ii. #DASH Diet: Embrace a diet low in sodium, high in potassium, high in fibre, and low in fat.
iii. Fruits: Incorporate grapefruit, oranges, ripe bananas, apricots, currants, blueberries, and watermelon.
iv. Vegetables: Eat spinach, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, asparagus, cabbage, broccoli, and beans.
v. Daily Exercise: Engage in 30 minutes of walking, cycling, slow jogging, or jog-walking.
vi. Maintain Optimal Weight: Keep your weight within a healthy range.
vii. Hydration: Drink 8-10 glasses of slightly cold water daily.
viii. #Quit Smoking/Tobacco: Eliminate both active and passive smoking.
ix. Limit Caffeine: Moderate your tea and coffee intake.
x. Good Sleep: Ensure 6-8 hours of quality sleep.
xi. Meditation & Relaxation: Practice deep-breathing exercises or alternative breathing exercises for at least 5 minutes daily.
Hypertension – A Homeopathic Approach
When it comes to managing hypertension, the holistic health practice of homeopathy offers a gentle and effective approach. #Homeopathy treats hypertension without adverse effects, addressing multiple concomitant symptoms. This method considers the individuals totality of symptoms, including chief complaints, habits, stress levels, sleep patterns, and more.
Commonly used Homeopathic remedies that show excellent results in managing hypertension include Aconite, Aurum Met, Baryta Mur, Belladonna, Cactus G, Crategus, Gelsemium, Glonoine, Lachesis, Strophanthus, and Rauwolfia.
By addressing hypertension with a comprehensive approach that includes lifestyle modifications, cardiac care, and holistic health practices like homeopathy, one can effectively manage this silent killer and improve overall well-being.