HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE OR HYPERTENSION

High blood pressure is not a disease, but a symptom of another underlying condition or pathology, just like fever. It is a compensatory process so that an adequate circulation of blood is maintained in the body. So, it is like a necessary evil to support life in adverse circumstances of blood flow. It may be uncomfortable just like fever, but the body is trying to fight a disease or an internal malady.

The level of blood pressure should be maintained within safe limits, but a drastic reduction of blood pressure by drugs can be deleterious to the body as well. The underlying causes of hypertension can be multiple including

• Hereditary: If both the parents have this condition, the children are more likely to manifest it.

• Age related: Found more after 40 yrs of age. Menopause can trigger this symptom as well.

• Sex: Men are supposed to have more tendency, but women are also prone at the time of menopause.

• Weight or body-built: Over-weight and obese people more likely to suffer even at a young age.

• Kidney disease, accompanying

• Arterial hardening

• Erroneous lifestyle like an excessive use of coffee, tea, tobacco, beer and other alcoholic drinks.

• High levels of mental anxiety or continued stress over a long period of time

• Hyperactive, restless, short-tempered individuals can also manifest a high blood pressure. They may be healthy otherwise.

HOW DOES HYPERTENSION MANIFEST OUTWARDLY AS SYMPTOMS?

Usually, the nervous system can be affected at first. Common initial presentations can be

• Nervousness

• Irritability

• Inability to concentrate

• Headache

• Insomnia

• Giddiness

With the involvement of kidneys, some urinary symptoms can also appear. A puffiness under the eyes can be noticed at this stage.

When the heart is compromised, breathlessness on slight exertion, even cough can manifest. A swelling around the ankles, after the day’s work in the evening, which disappears after a night’s sleep, is a common occurrence in such patients.

Furthermore, there can be extreme dyspnea and low quantity of urine per day. Bleeding from the nose and gums is considered as a beneficial symptom at this stage, as it has a safety-valve kind of an action.

Apoplexy or brain hemorrhage is the final blow in a patient of uncontrolled hypertension.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Many drugs are available which will reduce the blood pressure temporarily or as long as they are taken regularly for life. But in my opinion and experience, it should be treated at the etiological level. The cause of the blood pressure needs to be addressed, most importantly. The pressure level itself being the compensatory response is not the culprit but the underlying conditions, can cause degeneration at the level of other organs.

First things to be done are to AVOID

• Meat

• White bread

• Tea

• Coffee and chocolates

• Alcohol

• Tobacco

• Vinegar/ pickles

TO BE USED SPARINGLY