Blood pressure highly likely to cause neurotic personality trait | BMJ
Natural Remedies For High Blood Pressure
Herbs, supplements, a healthy eating pattern, and a few yoga exercises constitute the natural remedies for lowering high blood pressure.
Natural remedies are sometimes sufficient to prevent and control high blood pressure in people with family history of the condition or in people who have the risk factors. Here are some natural remedies for high blood pressure.Advertisement
Nutritional changes to lower high blood pressure1. DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet - Researches have shown that DASH diet can reduce the risk of developing as well as lowering an already elevated blood pressure. DASH diet plan emphasizes fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy foods and includes whole grains, poultry, fish and nuts too. This diet plan advises low intake of fats, red meats, sweets and sugared beverages.
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DASH diet is particularly effective if you are overweight or obese. A Medical University of South Carolina study found that obesity may raise blood pressure through oxidative stress and DASH diet is effective in decreasing blood pressure by enhancing antioxidant capacity in obese people with hypertension. The researchers also found that blood pressure did not change significantly in lean people with normal blood pressure.Advertisement
Another study from Australia suggested that the best diet to delay the onset of high blood pressure and high blood glucose related to age is one low in calories and saturated fats, and high in whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables.2. Reduce Salt/ Sodium Intake. Choose foods that are lower in salt and sodium content. The National Institute of Health recommends consumption of less that 2.4 g (2,400 mg) of sodium per day. It is equivalent to one teaspoon of table salt per day. Reducing sodium intake will work better if you increase consumption of potassium. Avoid processed foods, junk foods and fried foods.
3. Drink plenty of fluids daily. Drink water equivalent to 50 percent of your body weight in ounce. For example, if you weigh 140 pounds, drink 70 ounce of water every day.
4. Go easy on alcohol. Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure. Limit your alcohol intake to one drink if you are a woman and two drinks if you are a man.
Supplements to lower high blood pressure
Some supplements may help decrease hypertension. Although supplements can be taken in the form of pills or capsules, its best you take them in your diet as foods. Always consult your doctor before adding any supplements to your blood pressure treatment.
Supplements that help control high blood pressure include:
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) – ALA can be obtained from foods such as flaxseeds, walnuts, soybean, and dark green leafy vegetables.
Omega-3 fatty acids – Food sources for omega-3 fatty acids are salmon, sardines, cod (14 ounces of fish per week), cod liver oil (3 teaspoons per day), walnut, and tofu.
Co-enzyme Q10 – Food sources for co-enzyme Q10 are not well documented. However, it is available from foods such as fish, organ meats viz. Liver, kidney and heart, and whole grain germs.
Herbs and home remedies for lowering high blood pressure
Apart from herbs such as arjuna bark, olive leaf extract, and hawthorn, the following natural remedies also help lower high blood pressure.
1. Cocoa
Surprisingly, hot cocoa has been found to prevent and control high blood pressure. A study from Institute of Human Nutrition and Food Science, Christian Albrechts University, Germany, found that polyphenols in cocoa exhibit anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic activity. But they also indicated that bio-availability of cocoa polyphenols from dietary intake is very low. [6] So if you plan to get these polyphenols from chocolate, take into account its high energy content.
Alternatively, if you go by a Harvard research, drinking 5 cups of cocoa every day can help you control high blood pressure. This is because flavanols in cocoa stimulate your body's production of nitric oxide that boosts blood flow to heart, brain and other organs.
2. Garlic
Garlic, best known for its anti-cholesterol properties, also helps lower high blood pressure if taken over time. The recommended dose is 1-2 capsules to be taken twice a day, if you can't take raw garlic cloves because of its pungent taste and smell. Garlic eases the spasm in the arteries, slows the pulse and modifies heart rhythm besides relieving the symptoms of dizziness, shortness of breath and flatulence. Consult your doctor before using garlic as blood pressure treatment.
3. Rauwolfia
Rauwolfia serpentina, also called Indian snakeroot or sarpagandha, contains alkaloids that are used to treat high blood pressure. Rauwolfia alkaloids work by controlling nerve impulses along certain nerve pathways. They act on the heart and blood vessels and thus lower high blood pressure.
Oral dosage for adults is 50-100 mg of Rauwolfia tablets per day. However, rauwolfia will not cure your high blood pressure but it does help control it. Pregnant women and breastfeeding women should avoid using rauwolfia to control their blood pressure.
4. Yoga and breathing exercises to control high blood pressure
Relaxation techniques such as yoga with breathing exercises can help you relax and reduce your stress levels and consequently lower high blood pressure. Consult your doctor before beginning on any yoga or breathing techniques.Shavasana (the corpse pose) and sukhasana (the easy pose) are two yogasanas that help control high blood pressure.
Shavasana:
Lie down face up on the yoga mat in a warm room.
Place your feet about 20 inches apart and loosen (relax) the ankles and toes so that they point outwards.
Place the hands palm up about 10 inches away from the body.
Ensure that your shoulder blades are pulled down and the small of your back is relaxed into the floor.
Completely relax the body so that eventually you'll forget its there.
Focus on your breath. Breathe normally. Notice the subtle movements of breathing.
Feel yourself in tune with the rhythms of the body. Detach yourself from your thoughts. Let go.
Come out of shavasana very slowly so as to keep base with the tranquil and relaxed feelings inside of you.
Sukhasana:
It is a classic seated posture that will help you relax.
Sit on the yoga mat, fold the legs in toward your body, crossing the shins and placing each foot beneath the opposite knee.
Leave a comfortable gap between the feet and the pelvis.
Place your hands in your lap palm up. You may also lay your hands on your knees palm down.
Firm your shoulders but don't overarch your lower back.
Sit in this position for as long as you are comfortable.
Breathe normally. Focus on your breathing till you relax.
Remember to alternate the cross of the legs.
Reach out to people. Nurture love and affection. Laugh as much as you can. Laughter is the best medicine. It is a good relaxation therapy. All these natural remedies can help you reduce stress and lower your high blood pressure.
5 Natural Blood Thinners
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Some foods, including turmeric, have blood-thinning properties that may help promote blood circulation. But these foods may also interfere with anticoagulant drugs.
Your body has a way of protecting you from bleeding. Most of the time your blood's ability to clot is a good thing. There are times when blood clots can be dangerous.
If you have certain conditions such as an irregular heart rhythm or a congenital heart defect, or if you've had certain procedures such as heart valve surgery, your doctor may prescribe a blood thinner.
These conditions and heart valve replacement surgery increase the chance of developing life-threatening blood clots that may cause a heart attack or stroke. Blood thinners lower your risk for heart attack and stroke by decreasing the chance that blood clots form.
There are also some ingredients found in nature that some believe help reduce the risk of clotting. However, they haven't been tested and compared against prescription blood thinners.
You may want to talk to your doctor about the following natural remedies that have been reported to help thin the blood.
Never take these natural remedies instead of or with your prescription blood thinning medication without first talking to your doctor.
Read more for additional information on some natural blood thinners.
Turmeric is a spice that gives curry dishes a yellow color, and it's long been used as a folk medicine. According to a 2012 study, one of its main active ingredients, curcumin, acts as an anticoagulant.
It works to inhibit coagulation cascade components, or clotting factors, to prevent clots from forming.
Shop for turmeric.
Ginger is in the same family as turmeric and contains salicylate, a natural chemical found in many plants. Salicylates are found in plants. They are derived from salicylic acid.
Acetylsalicylic acid, synthetically derived from salicylate and usually called aspirin, can help prevent stroke and heart attack.
Foods with salicylate, such as avocados, some berries, chilies, and cherries, may also keep blood from clotting. More studies are needed to see if they're as effective as prescription medicines.
Shop for ginger.
Cinnamon and its close cousin, cassia, are both widely available and contain coumarin, a chemical that, in certain drugs, acts as a powerful anticoagulant.
Cinnamon and cassia may also lower blood pressure and relieve inflammation caused by arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. However, studies done in humans don't provide evidence cinnamon is of use for any health-related condition.
Use caution when using cinnamon as a blood thinner. A 2012 risk assessment showed long-term cinnamon consumption in foods, including cinnamon-based breads and teas, can cause liver damage.
Cayenne peppers can have a powerful blood-thinning effect on your body because of their high levels of salicylates. They can be taken in capsule form or easily ground up as a spice for food.
Cayenne peppers can also lower your blood pressure and increase circulation.
Shop for cayenne peppers.
If you have cardiovascular, or heart and blood vessel, disease, or if you want to help prevent it, your doctor may recommend a heart-healthy diet.
A heart-healthy diet includes fresh fruits and vegetables, 100 percent whole grains, healthy oils, low- or no-fat milk products, and healthy proteins.
A heart healthy diet limits high-fat, high-cholesterol, and high-sugar foods. This best diet for your overall health.
If you do take Coumadin (warfarin), it's very important to eat about the same amount of vitamin K-containing foods every day.
High intake of vitamin K may lessen the effectiveness of warfarin. If you are taking warfarin or other anticoagulants, avoid high-dose vitamin K supplements.
Rich dietary sources of vitamin K include green leafy vegetables, such as lettuce and spinach, as well as broccoli and brussel sprouts.
There are many natural remedies to reduce blood clotting. It's important you don't them instead of or with your prescription blood thinner and other medications without first talking to your doctor.
Natural products and some foods can interfere with your prescription medication. They may make your blood too thin, which increases your chance of bleeding. Natural remedies may also decrease the effectiveness of your prescription medication, increasing the chance of clot formation.
Always speak to your doctor before starting any medications, home remedies, or treatments that could have an effect on your health.
Homeopathy For Blood Pressure
What is Blood Pressure?Basically, blood pressure refers to the pressure created when the heart pumps out blood, which is essential in order to ensure that the blood reaches all the different parts and tissues of the body properly.
The blood pressure of an individual is measured using an instrument known as sphygmomanometer, and the optimum blood pressure of a human is 120/80 (systolic and diastolic blood pressures). High or low fluctuations in the normal blood pressure can cause health problems, sometimes even life-threatening conditions.
High Blood Pressure, Low Blood Pressure and Blood Pressure Readings
High blood pressure affects millions of people worldwide today, and is currently among the most concerning health conditions. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a disorder wherein the blood pressure exceeds beyond normal limits. When the blood pressure of an individual is measured and is found to exceed beyond the 140/90 reading, the individual is said to suffer from high blood pressure.
Conversely, when an individual's blood pressure reading falls below 110/70, the person is said to suffer from hypotension or low blood pressure.Causes of Blood Pressure
Blood pressure fluctuations may arise due to different reasons. Usually, overconsumption of OTC drugs, corticosteroids and immunosuppressants, especially when continued for a prolonged period of time, can cause hypertension.
Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, inhibitors etc, may also cause an elevation in blood pressure and affect the kidneys as well. Use of tobacco and tobacco-containing products and consumption of alcohol, too, can raise blood pressure. It is also believed that alcohol-induced high blood pressure is more common in women, and intake of caffeine and caffeine containing products may also play a role in elevating blood pressure. In contrast, low blood pressure usually occurs in individuals who aren't fit and too weak and fragile. Pregnant women, too are prone to suffer from low blood pressure. Some other problems including endocrine disorders, heart problems like bradycardia, heart attack, heart failure, dehydration, fatigue, weakness and loss of blood may be linked to low blood pressure. Use of certain drugs like alpha blockers, diuretics, beta blockers etc, may also cause a drop in the blood pressure. Allergic reactions and infections in the body, lack of adequate essential nutrients and use of antidepressant medications for a long period of time is also known to cause low blood pressure in individuals.Symptoms and Signs of Blood Pressure
Most people suffering from high or low blood pressure do not recognize any signs or symptoms, and even if they do, they tend to ignore them.
Most commonly, people having hypertension may experience dizzy spells, headache and are more prone to nosebleeds.
On the other hand, individuals suffering from low blood pressure may experience fainting, fatigue, depression, dizziness, lack of concentration, nausea, thirst and blurred vision.Homeopathy for Blood Pressure
For patients suffering from high blood pressure, homeopathic treatments can be very beneficial, especially if the illness is not very old. Here we've listed some common homeopathic medications that can be used to combat high blood pressure and low blood pressure.
Homeopathic medications for high blood pressure:
Belladona: Belladona is known for its efficacy in treating high blood pressure, and shows remarkable improvement in individuals having an accelerated pulse rate, dilated pupils and flushed face.
Aconitum: Aconitum is a useful homeopathic remedy particularly for patients who suffer from high blood pressure which occurs suddenly, and when the patient is constantly faced by a fear of dying. Nux Vomica: Nux Vomica is effective in lowering down high blood pressure arising due to overeating.Lycopodium: Lycopodium, too, is a general, effective homeopathic remedy for patients suffering from high blood pressure.
Ignatia: High blood pressure arising due to emotional upset, anger, grief etc can be treated effectively using Ignatia.
Lachesis: Lachesis is a homeopathic remedy which is particularly effective in treating high blood pressure occurring during menopause.
Homeopathic Medications for Low Blood Pressure:
Conium: Conium is a homeopathic remedy that helps specifically older patients suffering from low blood pressure and whose body has become weak and the organs of the body don't function to the optimum level.
Digitalis: This is an effective homeopathic remedy for patients suffering from heart problems, irregular and very slow pulse, shortness of breath and fatigue.Calcarea phos: Calcarea phos is an effective homeopathic treatment for weak, tired and exhausted individuals.
Kalmia: Kalmia may prove to be a good homeopathic remedy for patients suffering from low blood pressure.
Prevention of Blood PressureEating natural foods and adopting a healthy lifestyle is the best and easiest way to manage blood pressure for both-patients suffering from hypertension or hypotension. Obesity and lack of physical activity are major culprits behind high blood pressure; which is why, losing weight and exercising regularly can help you manage blood pressure.
Reducing the sodium content and eating more natural, organic foods can be yet another effective way to manage blood pressure. Cutting down alcohol and nicotine consumption may also help patients lower their blood pressure levels naturally.
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