|
INTRODUCTION
Hypertension
is the medical term for "High Blood Pressure". In
Hypertension, blood flows in arteries with high force than normal and
this causes blood arteries and heart to do overwork to maintain the
normal flow of the blood. Hypertension leads to major life
threatening factors and a person can suffer from major heart strokes,
heart attack, and heart failure. Not only this, hypertension also
causes immense damage to the organs such as eyes, kidneys (it can
result to kidney failure), brain damage, brain haemrrhage, and
affects blood circulation severely.
Though
earlier hypertension was known as an "adult disease", but
the study shows that it is also increasing among children at an
alarming rate. High blood pressure is a wide-spread disease and a
whopping 50 million americans are affected by this, which me and one
in every four adult. Above all, it is really ironical to know that
majority of them do not know that they are suffering from it and at
last it takes their life. That's why it is also terned as a "Silent
Killer".
TYPES
OF HYPERTENSION
Hypertension
is classified according to its causes. There are various causes that
lead to Hypertension. Currently, they are classified into two broad
main categories:
Primary:This
is also known as Essential or Idiopathic Hypertension. There is no
specific cause associated with the primary hypertension. 90-95% of
the cases are found primary cases of hypertension.
Secondary:Hypertension
that is caused by other factors is known as secondary hypertension
such as kidney disease, continuous intake of contraceptives etc.
Secondary hypertension accounts for only a miniscule 10-15% of the
hypertension cases.
SIGNS
AND SYMPTOMS OF HYPERTENSION
It is
really ironical to know that though this is a wide-spread disease, a
large people are not aware that they are actually suffering from it
and improper medication and their irresponsible behavior of the
person ultimatley culminates to death. Following are the signs and
symptoms that helps to diagnose hypertension:
* Severe
headache
*
Palpitations
*
Dizziness
*
Palpitation
*
Nausea
*
Expistaxis
(Nose bleeding)
*
Hematuria
(Blood in the urine)
*
Impotence
*
Fatigue
CAUSES
OF HYPERTENSION
Following
are the major causes that lead to primary and secondary hypertension
in a person.
Primary
Hypertension: Genes, race factor (like there are more cases of
hypertension in black americans than white americans), family
history, obesity, and smoking are the primary cause of hypertension.
Secondary
Hypertension:Kidney disorders, Endocrine disorders, Sleep apena,
high consumption of alcohol, intake of drugs like cocaine, high
intake of coffee, intake of contraceptives, and stress are the major
causes of secondary hypertension.
PREVENTION
OF HYPERTENSION
Studies
have revealed that by improving lifestyle you can prevent the
dreadful disease of hypertension. You can take following preventive
measures:
* You
should quit smoking. As smoking leads to disastrous result of
hypertension.
*
You
should maintain a healthy weight as heavy weight often causes
hypertension.
*
You
should reduce your salt intake, if you have diagnosed any of the
symptom of hypertension.
*
You
should try to keep yourself as fit as possible by leading a
physically active life and exercising regularly. Practice yoga to
avoid stress, as stress is a major factor of hypertension.
*
You
should start maintaining a healthy diet chart for you with ample
amount of protein-rich and fibre-rich food that includes fruits and
vegetables.
*
You
should avoid alcohol consumption as much as possible.
MEDICATION
OF HYPERTENSION
Medications
that play a very important role in treatment of hypertension can be
classified in different categories as follows:
Diuretics:Diuretics
are of three types loop, potassium sparing, and thiazide. Diuretics
help to eliminate waste such as sodium and water from kidneys that
hence decrease the blood volume and lowers hypertension.
Antioxidants
and Calcium:These include healthy dietary supplements that
comprises Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and beta-carotene antioxidants such
as vegetables. For food rich in Calcium, you should have a heavy
intake of low fat dairy products and fruits.
Different
medicines: Medicines such as beta-blockers such as atenolol,
metoprolol reduce heart workload, depression, fatigue, etc. Diabetic
patient should avoid their intake. Angeotensin-converting enzyme
(ACE) inhibitors such as catopril, enalapril, lisinopril, generate a
chemical in the body that decrease the production of a substance in
a body that leads to hypertension.
Others:
Diet rich in magnesium and potassium, enzyme Q10, Omega3 fatty
acids, herbs such as garlic, hawthron, massage therapy, ayurvedic
medicines such as arjuna, ashwagandha, gotu kola, saffron, muskroot
etc, chinese herbs,homeopathy, and acupuncture play very important
role in the treatment of hypertension.
|