Hypertension is one of the major causes of disability and death all over the world. Hypertension causes heart attacks, strokes, kidney failures and other disorder if it is neglected and remains untreated. In many cases, hypertension does not cause any symptoms until it causes complications such as heart attack and stroke and plays a role of silent killer in the body. So it is important to realize that you may have high blood pressure and only way to find it out that get your blood pressure checked at regular intervals.
Blood pressure is high when arterial blood pressure is elevated above the normal ranges. The normal blood pressure reading is systolic 120 over diastolic 80.
Symptoms of Hypertension:
Pain experienced at the back of the head and neck on waking up, which soon disappears.
Dizziness
Palpitations
Heart pain
Frequent urination
Nervous tension
Fatigue
Difficulty in Breathing
Causes of Hypertension:
Stress and hectic life-style.
Vitiation of vata
Smoking and an excessive intake of intoxicants
Hardening of the arteries
Obesity
Metabolic disorders
Excessive intake of common table salt
Overloading of fast foods
Ayurvedic Approach to Hypertension:
According to Ayurveda, high blood pressure involves all the doshas, the heart, and the blood vessels. We can see signs and symptoms of derangement of vata dosha mainly that of 'Vyana vayu' in high blood pressure. The treatment is to correct the balance of vata dosha. Pitta vitiation is also seen often and should be treated. People with Pitta and Vata predominant constitution and Pitta and Vata imbalance, are more prone to hypertension than any other. Unprocessed anger, frustration, irritability, anxiety and fear leads to mal-adaptation of the endocrine system, which then leads to conditions like hypertension. Treatment is based on bringing these imbalances back to normal. In the treatment of hypertension; nutrition, exercise, breathing exercises (Pranayama), yoga, meditation, behavioral modification along with various herbs and minerals are prescribed.
Ayurvedic Life Style for Hypertension:
If you master the techniques of keeping your blood pressure down, you have much less chance of having hypertension later and you are less likelihood of having fatty -cholesterol deposits in your arteries. Even though you have normal blood pressure, you can benefit yourself with simple adjustment in lifestyle.
Regular Exercise is one of the best ways to lower blood pressure. Exercise has to be of right kind. A good exercise programme, particularly endurance exercises such as jogging or athletics will cause the peripheral resistance to decrease. Exercise helps to eliminate body fat, lower total cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol that prevents fatty - cholesterol deposits. According to Ayurveda exercise improves the body, depletes excess fats, brings lightness of the body. Improving your lifestyle by adoption of ethical elements mentioned in 'Achara Rasayana' is must if you really want to stay away from mental and physical stress and from eventual hypertension. It is certain that stress can cause hypertension. Anxiety, secondary to acute stage can cause rise in your blood pressure. Relaxation and removal of stress will help to lower mildly elevated levels of blood pressure.Nurture love and affection. Love and affection and affectionate touch can significantly drop, your blood pressure.
Speak truth. Lying has been found to boost blood pressure, because it requires a lot of mental exercise. The more you lie, more you add tension, hence you are likely to get more stress, speak gently; don't get annoyed, speaking loudly and rapidly can significantly raise your blood pressure during conversation. Sudden risk can shoot up your blood pressure higher. Chronic anger produces elevation in blood pressure and it can be a serious risk factor for coronary - heart - disease. So be cool, speak softly and even if it is event of extreme displeasure. Laughter is the best medicine. Laughter is as good as relaxation therapy, exercise or other methods used to overcome stress. Study shows that laughter decreases adrenaline and cortisol production. Laughter can help you if you are having high blood pressure. If you are frustrated, unhappy, angry, just laugh and find yourself away from rage. It is of the effective medicine you always have with your, without spending a penny for it.
Yoga and Breath Therapy for Hypertension:
For complete tranquillity of mind, meditate in Corpse Pose. First, concentrate on the incoming and outgoing breath, focusing on the temperature of the breath as it flows in and out. You may notice the exhaled air is slightly warmer than the inhaled air. If you focus the mind on the breath for 10 minutes, mental disturbance gets diminished and blood pressure normalizes. Then you can meditate.
Research has now shown that regular practice of Corpse Pose controls high blood pressure. Meditating and practicing breathing exercises regularly are essential to establishing a new relaxation response in place of the hypertensive reflex to stress. Chanting the mantra 'OM' or listening to a recording of it in the early morning and evening is also beneficial
Useful Ayurvedic Herbs For hypertension
Sarpagandha : For centuries Rauwolfia serpentina has been used to treat hypertension. 'Rasagandha' is a product used for effective treatment of hypertension.
Arjuna : Terminalia arjuna produced dose-dependent hypotension in anaesthetized dogs. Action of mechanism for this particular herb is that it acts like a beta-blocker and is a powerful antioxidant, liver protectant and contains cardio-protective, hypolipidemic, anti-angina and anti-atheroma properties.
Gokshura : Tribulus Terrestris(gokshura) is a natural herb used for treating many diseases including hypertension. It has shown to be diuretic and an ACE inhibitor.
Home Remedies for Hypertension
Garlic or Rasona is most important substance helpful in alleviating vata dosha controlling blood pressure. Garlic lowers cholesterol and triglyceride that have impact on heart disease. A paste made of about 1 gm of garlic should be mixed with a glass of buttermilk. Drink this buttermilk twice a day. It will bring your blood pressure down. Eating 2/3 raw clove of garlic (prior to soaking it in buttermilk) on empty stomach in the morning will correct any vitiation of vata dosha and will help to lower your blood pressure.
Powder of 'Triphala' should be taken regularly at night with warm water. This will help maintain constipation and bowels will remain clean.
Soak 1tsp fenugreek seed in water for a night and munch them early in the morning on empty stomach. It will reduce your cholesterol and excess fats.
Panchakarma for Hypertension
Niruha basti Chikitsa (non unctuous enema) will be beneficial in hypertension and should be given by experienced physician.
Dhara therapy is also helpful in treating obstinate cases of hypertension. Oil processed with bala (sida cordifolia) and milk is allowed to drop in small droplets on the forehead of the patient.
Author:
Dr Nirav Joshi, Ayurvedacharya
