Hypertension
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is
often called a "silent killer" because
many have it for years without realizing. However, all along damage is silently
being done to the brain, the heart and the kidneys
Types of hypertension
Primary hypertension
More than 9 in 10 people with high blood pressure have what's
called 'primary' or 'essential hypertension'.
This means that there's no single clear cause of it.Although the exact cause of
high blood pressure isn't fully understood, it's known that some factors to do
with your lifestyle can contribute. These include:
Secondary hypertension
Around 5 in 10 people with high blood pressure have 'secondary hypertension'. This means your condition
can be linked to a recognized cause - in fact, it may be a symptom of another
underlying disease or factor such as:
- Kidney disease.
- Endocrine disease.
- Narrowing
of the aorta.
- Steroid
medicine.
- Contraceptive
pills.
- Pregancy,
which can cause pre-eclampsia.
Complications-
- High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of
kidney failure, also commonly called end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
People with kidney failure must either receive a kidney transplant or go
on dialysis.
- High blood pressure makes your heart work harder and,
over time, can damage blood vessels throughout your body. If the blood
vessels in your kidneys are damaged, they may stop removing wastes and
extra fluid from your body. The extra fluid in your blood vessels may
then raise blood pressure even more. It's a dangerous cycle.
- The
list of complications that have been mentioned in various sources for
Hypertension includes:
- Kidney
failure - hypertension is the second most common cause of kidney failure
(after diabetes)
- End-stage
renal disease
- Heart
disease like angina, heart attack, heart failure.
- Hardened
arteries
- Left
ventricular hypertrophy
- Left-side
heart failure
- Stroke
- Cerebrovascular
disease.
- Cerebral
hemorrhage
- Eye
complications like Impaired vision
- Retinal
damage
- Death
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Fig:
Hypertensive Retinopathy
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Remedies-
1. Argentum
Nitricum [Arg Nit]
If blood pressure rises with
anxiety and nervousness, this remedy may be indicated. “Stage
fright” or anticipation of a stressful event can bring on dizziness, headache,
diarrhea, and a pounding pulse. People who need this remedy are typically
warm-blooded, imaginative, impulsive, claustrophobic, and have strong cravings
for sweets and salt.
2. Aurum
metallicum [Aur Met]
This remedy is sometimes indicated
for serious people, focused on career and accomplishment, with blood pressure
problems related to stress. Worry, depression, or anger may occur, especially
when these people feel they have made a mistake or failed in some way. A
general tendency to feel worse at night and a strong desire for alcohol,
sweets, bread, and pastries are other indications for Aurum.
3. Belladona
[ Bell
]
This remedy is indicated when
symptoms come on suddenly, with great intensity and heat. The person’s
face is flushed, with dilated pupils, and pulsations and throbbing may be felt
in various parts of the body. Despite the general heat, the person’s
hands and feet may be cold. Vertigo and pounding headaches, worse from jarring
and worse from light, may also occur.
4. Calcarea
carbonica [Calc carb]
This remedy is often helpful to
people with high blood pressure who easily tire and
have poor stamina. They are typically responsible types, who feel overwhelmed
when ill and fear a breakdown. Palpitations and breathing problems can be worse
from walking up a slope or stairs, and also when lying down. A general
chilliness with clammy hands and feet (the feet may heat up in bed at night)
and sweat on the head during sleep are other indications. The person may have
cravings for sweets and eggs, and tend toward weight problems.
5. Glonoine
[Glon]
A flushed face with a pounding
headache and visible throbbing in the blood vessels of the neck may indicate a
need for this remedy. The chest can feel congested or hot, with a pounding or
irregular heartbeat. The person is worse from moving around, after heat and sun
exposure, and after drinking alcohol. A feeling of “being lost in a
familiar place” is a strong indication for this remedy.
6. Lachesis
[Lach]
A person who needs this remedy
typically is intense and talkative, with inner passion and agitation that need
an outlet—a “pressure-cooker.” The person may have a strong
fear of disease, and feelings of suspicion, revenge, or jealousy are common.
The person may also have heart or artery problems, look flushed or purplish,
and feel constriction in the chest, with pulsations in many areas. Feeling
worse after taking a nap or on waking in the morning, and a strong intolerance
of clothing around the neck (or any kind of restriction) are other indications
for Lachesis.
7. Natrum
muriaticum [Nat mur]
A person who needs this remedy
seems reserved and responsible, but may have very strong feelings (of grief,
disappointment, anger, lingering grudges, a fear of
misfortune) inside. Headaches and palpitations are common, as well as a feeling
of tension (even coldness) in the chest. The person feels worse from being in
the sun, worse around mid-morning, and better from being alone in a quiet
place. A craving for salt and strong thirst can help to confirm the choice of
this remedy.
8. Nux
vomica [Nux vom]
A person who needs this remedy is
usually impatient and driven—easily frustrated, angered, and offended. A
strong desire for coffee and other stimulants, sweets, strong foods, and
alcohol or drugs may aggravate blood pressure problems. Palpitations,
constricting feelings in the chest, constipation, and hemorrhoids are often
seen. The person is typically sensitive to light, noise, odors, and
interference.
9. Phosphorus
[Phos]
A person who needs this remedy
usually is sensitive, suggestible, and sympathetic, with a tendency toward
weakness, dizziness, a “spaced-out” feeling, and fearfulness.
Nosebleeds, facial flushing, palpitations, and a feeling of heaviness or pain
in the chest, and left-sided problems are often seen. A strong desire for cold
drinks and refreshing things, and a marked improvement after eating and
sleeping are other indications for Phosphorus.
10. Plumbum
metallicum [Plumb met]
This remedy is indicated for
people with degenerative problems of the nerves and hardening of the arteries.
Chest tightness and palpitations are often worse when lying on the left side.
Contractures, paralysis, and nerve or muscle problems are also likely. The
person may have a history of heavy drinking and “high
living”—becoming apathetic or depressed when physical debility and
memory problems develop.
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