More and more people are turning to non traditional methods, at least in the western world, for treating not only their high blood pressure but many of the ailments that they suffer from.
For those who prefer not to take drugs because of the side effects associated with them, there are alternatives. Modern medicine has yet to prove or disprove that these methods work but the people who use them say that they find they at least feel better from them, even if their blood pressure doesn't go down or only goes down a little.
One of these is the use of yoga. Supposedly, yoga is a meditative science that relaxes the mind and body. Actually, yoga is more than just that. It is a way of life that includes ethical teachings, dietary prescriptions and lots of physical exercise. Those who follow the practice of yoga believe that it has the ability to alter their body and mental responses beyond what a person on his own is normally capable of.
During the past 80 years health professionals in India and the West have begun to investigate the therapeutic potential of yoga. To date, these research studies have shown that yoga most definitely has an effect on blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory function, metabolic rate, skin resistance, brain waves, body temperature, and many other bodily functions.
The problem with yoga is that it requires many hours of adhering to its principals and teachings daily. In our fast paced society it is a rare individual who has time for such a routine.
Another alternative used to treat high blood pressure is acupuncture which is traced back to China about 2500 years ago. The theory of acupuncture is that there are patterns of energy flow through the body that are important for good health. It is the disruptions of this flow that are believed to be the cause of poor health. By using acupuncture the flow imbalances can be corrected at certain points in the skin by inserting needles at these points. So far there has been no study to show if acupuncture indeed does lower a person's blood pressure.
Another alternative that people turn to is herbal remedies. Some of these herbal remedies have components that have been proven, in some cases, to actually reduce a person's blood pressure. But most of these cases are diet related anyway and not caused by genetic problems or underlying diseases. Most herbal remedies are available as food supplements because the FDA does not approve them as drugs. Because of this, herbal treatments have not been evaluated by the medical community and therefore there are no statistics as to their effectiveness.
Because no evaluations of these herbal remedies have been made, potential side effects from using them are unknown. Also, a major problem with most herbal remedies is that their contents are not standardized so a person doesn't know what he's getting from one time to the next. In addition, the ways that herbal remedies work to lower blood pressure are totally unknown. Because of these things, herbal remedies are not recommended for lowering blood pressure. Still, people are using them.
By 2025, researchers in the field of hypertension estimate that almost a third of all adults globally will suffer the symptoms of high blood pressure. Already, hypertension is a major health problem in the U.S., affecting one in four adults. Two-thirds of African-Americans need high blood pressure treatment. High blood pressure causes heart failure, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and even death. The need for high blood pressure treatment is, therefore, of vital importance. But what works? And how can we reduce the symptoms of high blood pressure?
DASH for Hypertension
Studies indicate that the ?DASH? diet is consistently effective as a high blood pressure treatment. ?DASH? stands for ?Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension.? DASH is such an effective high blood pressure treatment that it compares favorably to prescription drugs, especially in patients displaying stage I symptoms of high blood pressure. Steady adherence to DASH as a treatment for high blood pressure means one can potentially avoid prescription drug treatment and as well as common side effects of traditional high blood pressure treatment. Ask your doctor.
DASH as a high blood pressure treatment is an eating plan low in saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol. DASH is based on a 2,000 calorie per day diet emphasizing:
- fruits (4-5 servings/day) - vegetables (4-5 servings /day) - no-fat/low-fat dairy (2-3 servings /day) - whole grains, whole-grain breads/crackers (7-8 servings /day) - meat, fish, poultry (2 or less/day) - legumes, seeds, nuts (4-5 servings/week) - less fat/oil (2-3 servings/day) - less red meat - less sugary snacks/sodas (5 servings or less/week)- less sugary snacks/sodas (5 servings or less/week)
DASH can prevent the need for any high blood pressure treatment in those who do not yet suffer from hypertension.
Risk factors of heart disease, which include hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking and diabetes, also increase the risk of dementia in the aged, and perhaps development of Alzheimer's. This makes treatment of high blood pressure even more imperative.
Supplements for the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
Certain nutrients are associated with reducing the symptoms of high blood pressure, including potassium, calcium, magnesium, and fiber, and herbs such as garlic, hawthorn and reishi.
Other High Blood Pressure Treatments
Besides DASH and supplementation, high blood pressure treatment can include:
- Less salt (1,500 milligrams per day) - Weight loss if overweight (even losing 10 pounds is a natural treatment of high blood pressure) - Decreased daily alcohol intake (one ounce for women and (two ounces for men) - Daily physical activity (30-40 minutes, moderate activity like fast walking) - Quit smoking (this will reduce your chances of a stroke or heart. - Stress management techniques such as biofeedback, hypnosis or relaxation tapes, yoga/meditation, and acupuncture.
These changes may not be sufficient as high blood pressure treatment, in which case, you will need medication. If you keep up the DASH diet and other suggestions for natural treatment of high blood pressure, it may help medication work more effectively so you're able to take a lower dose, under medical supervision.
Hypertensive patients of all ages who receive high blood pressure treatment live longer, healthier lives. Listening to advice may not be enough to make these lifestyle changes on your own. For example, commitment to daily exercise is easier with a walking partner. Start with these tips and you're well on your way to an effective treatment of high blood pressure!
Both Michael Russell & Mitamins Team are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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