High Blood Pressure (hypertension)
Print Diagnosis To measure your blood pressure, your doctor or a specialist will usually place an inflatable arm cuff around your arm and measure your blood pressure using a pressure-measuring gauge. A blood pressure reading, given in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), has two numbers. The first, or upper, number measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats (systolic pressure). The second, or lower, number measures the pressure in your arteries between beats (diastolic pressure). Blood pressure measurements fall into four general categories: Normal blood pressure. Your blood pressure is normal if it's below 120/80 mm Hg. Elevated blood pressure. Elevated blood pressure is a systolic pressure ranging from 120 to 129 mm Hg and a diastolic pressure below 80 mm Hg. Elevated blood pressure tends to get worse over time unless steps are taken to control blood pressure. Stage 1 hypertension. Stage 1 hypertension is a systolic pressure ranging from 130 to 139 mm Hg or a diastolic pressure ranging from 80 to 89 mm Hg. Stage 2 hypertension. More severe hypertension, stage 2 hypertension is a systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher or a diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher. Both numbers in a blood pressure reading are important. But after age 60, the systolic reading is even more significant. Isolated systolic hypertension is a condition in which the diastolic pressure is normal (less than 90 mm Hg) but systolic pressure is high (greater than 140 mm Hg). This is a common type of high blood pressure among people older than 60. Your doctor will likely take two to three blood pressure readings each at three or more separate appointments before diagnosing you with high blood pressure. This is because blood pressure normally varies throughout the day, and sometimes spe Continue reading >>
How To Reverse Diabetes Naturally
According to the 2017 National Diabetes Statistics Report, over 30 million people living in the United States have diabetes. That’s almost 10 percent of the U.S. population. And diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, causing, at least in part, over 250,000 deaths in 2015. That’s why it’s so important to take steps to reverse diabetes and the diabetes epidemic in America. Type 2 diabetes is a dangerous disease that can lead to many other health conditions when it’s not managed properly, including kidney disease, blindness, leg and food amputations, nerve damage, and even death. (1) Type 2 diabetes is a completely preventable and reversible condition, and with diet and lifestyle changes, you can greatly reduce your chances of getting the disease or reverse the condition if you’ve already been diagnosed. If you are one of the millions of Americans struggling with diabetes symptoms, begin the steps to reverse diabetes naturally today. With my diabetic diet plan, suggested supplements and increased physical activity, you can quickly regain your health and reverse diabetes the natural way. The Diabetes Epidemic Diabetes has grown to “epidemic” proportions, and the latest statistics revealed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that 30.3 million Americans have diabetes, including the 7.2 million people who weren’t even aware of it. Diabetes is affecting people of all ages, including 132,000 children and adolescents younger than 18 years old. (2) The prevalence of prediabetes is also on the rise, as it’s estimated that almost 34 million U.S. adults were prediabetic in 2015. People with prediabetes have blood glucose levels that are above normal but below the defined threshold of diabetes. Without proper int Continue reading >>
High Blood Pressure: Complementary Treatments
It's no secret that exercise and a healthy diet are among the key ways to lower your blood pressure. But maybe you want to do more than that, and you're thinking about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Turns out, you have good reason to. In recent years, more and more studies show that some CAM treatments can lower your blood pressure. They're most helpful when used along with traditional medicine. Keep in mind that for the most part, CAM treatments haven't had been as well studied as other types of treatment. So always check with your doctor before starting one to make sure it's safe for you. Stress kicks off a process in your body that makes your heart beat faster and raises your blood pressure. Now and then, that's OK, but a lot of stress over time can be a problem. Research shows that calming techniques like these can lower your blood pressure: Qi gong. This method, based on traditional Chinese medicine, combines slow movement, breathing, and meditation. It doesn't work as well at lowering your blood pressure as drugs or other types of physical activity, but it can still be helpful. Slow breathing exercises. When you take slow, controlled breaths, you send calming signals to your nervous system, which can help with high blood pressure. Meditation. Transcendental meditation (TM), where you sit quietly and repeat a given phrase to yourself, can have a modest effect on lowering blood pressure. Other types of meditation may help, too, but most of the research has focused on TM. Tai chi. It's a slow, gentle form of exercise that comes from traditional Chinese medicine. Recent studies show that it could work as well as some high blood pressure meds or more intense exercise. Yoga . It can be helpful for high blood pressure. Check with your doctor before you sta Continue reading >>
Complementary Alternative Therapies For Hypertension: Is It Worth It?
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Dietary Supplements In The Management Of Hypertension And Diabetes - A Review
Go to: Introduction The practice of using nature as pharmacy dates back to antecedent/s and continues till date as many of the medications currently in use are derived from plants. Dietary supplements are food products, extracts or concentrates that are intended to supplement diets because they contain certain dietary ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, and amino acids (Halsad, 2003). They are usually found in many forms including tablet, capsule, powder, liquid, bar, soft-gel and gel-cap. Dietary supplements are generally regarded as classes of foods not drugs. This is because like foods, most dietary supplements are not screened for safety and effectiveness following their removal from the regulatory authority of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1958. This prevents dietary supplements labels from assertions showing their intended ability to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent or cure diseases (DSHEA, 1994). The line between permissible and impermissible health claims for supplements is not always clear to the consumer, who naturally may misunderstand the apparent bounty of medicinal-sounding risk-free benefits. However, while many supplements may be beneficial, they are not without risks. Generally, several claims have been put forward regarding the beneficial attributes of dietary supplements including prevention of acne, reduction of fats, low cholesterol content, rich fibre content, and the promotion of healthy skin (DSHEA, 1994). Dietary supplements occur in different forms ranging from vitamins, minerals, amino acids and botanicals. Vitamins are organic compounds that cannot be synthesized by the body, but are necessary for its proper functioning. There are two types of vitamins namely; fat soluble and water soluble vitamins. Fat soluble vitam Continue reading >>
Herbs And Alternative Therapies In The Hypertension Clinic
Herbs and alternative therapies in the hypertension clinic Section of Hypertension and Vascular Diseases Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. George A. Mansoor, MD, MRCP (UK), Section of Hypertension and Vascular Diseases American Journal of Hypertension, Volume 14, Issue 9, 1 September 2001, Pages 971975, George A. Mansoor; Herbs and alternative therapies in the hypertension clinic, American Journal of Hypertension, Volume 14, Issue 9, 1 September 2001, Pages 971975, The use of alternative therapies, herbs, and supplements occurs at a very high rate among patients attending a variety of health care settings. Such therapy may cause significant interactions or effects on hypertension and other cardiovascular disorders and needs to be considered by clinicians. In this brief review, we highlight several commonly used alternative therapies that may have a clinical impact in the hypertensive patient. Several problems hinder our complete awareness of these effects. These problems include patients not informing physicians about alternative treatment or herbal use, the lack of consistent scientific standards for the bioactivity of many herbals or supplements, and the multiple names that each bioactive substance is sold under. Specific questioning regarding herbals and alternative therapies in the hypertension clinic is therefore needed. Herbals including ma huang, St. John's wort, yohimbine, garlic, and licorice all may cause important consequences in the hypertensive patient. Added care is needed in monitoring the use and effects of herbal and alternative therapies in the hypertensive population. Am J Hypertens 2001;14:971975 2001 American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd. Hypertension , alternative medicines , ephedra , licorice , St. John's wort The large number o Continue reading >>
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14 Amazing Herbs That Lower Blood Sugar
We live in a world where prescription medicine is getting more and more expensive as well as controversial. Alternative medicine is gaining momentum and with good reason! The same is true for treatments for diabetes type 2. You have therapies that can reverse diabetes through lifestyle and diet changes, natural supplements that can help stabilize blood sugar levels, and also herbs that lower blood sugar. Not only are these alternative therapies safer, but they are also easier on your pocket, on your body and mind. Maintaining normal blood sugar levels is necessary for the body’s overall health. Erratic blood sugar levels can affect the body’s ability to function normally and even lead to complications if left unchecked. Some herbs and spices found in nature do a tremendous job of naturally lowering blood sugar levels, making them a boon for diabetics and pre-diabetics. What’s more, being nature’s multi-taskers, herbs and spices also produce overall health benefits beyond just helping balance blood sugar. We want to clarify one thing right away – not everything on our list can be classified as ‘herbs’. However, they are all from natural sources. Herbs come from the leafy and green part of the plant. Spices are parts of the plant other than the leafy bit, such as the root, stem, bulb, bark or seeds. RELATED: Decoding The Dawn Phenomenon (High Morning Blood Sugar) With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best herbs that lower blood sugar, along with a few spices thrown in, to give you a more comprehensive list. Please note that while we normally do not use animal studies to support any dietary supplement, several herbs like garlic and ginger are considered ‘food’ and so, are used traditionally by cultures across the world in their daily diet Continue reading >>
Can Alternative Therapies Help You Manage Diabetes?
Can Alternative Therapies Help You Manage Diabetes? Thinking of adding a complementary therapy to your type 2 diabetes treatment plan? If so, heres what you should consider. Spice up your diabetes meal plan with recipes from the Americas to Asia and Europe. People with type 2 diabetes sometimes add complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) therapies to their treatment plans. But its important to choose carefully. While some CAM therapies might be of help, others could end up doing more harm than good. Before you decide to use a CAM therapy to help manage type 2 diabetes, consider these steps: Talk to your doctor before taking a supplement. Some supplements and medications can interfere with each other, leading to dangerous side effects, says Andrew Newberg, MD , director of research at the Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University and Hospital in Philadelphia. Talk to your doctor about why you want to add a CAM therapy, and specifically which of your type 2 diabetes symptoms arent being addressed with regular treatment. Discussing the goals of CAM therapy is always important so that the most effective treatment plan with medications or supplements can be developed, he says. Keep taking medication as prescribed. Sometimes people quit their medications when they start taking a supplement, says Aunna Pourang, MD , an integrative family medicine doctor in Santa Monica, California. However, she says, "the last thing you want is for someone to stop taking their medications, take a supplement with no benefit, and wind up hospitalized with life-threatening high blood sugar or with a stroke, heart attack, or other complications as a result of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes." Find reliable information. The National Center for Complementary and Int Continue reading >>
9 Proven Herbs That Lower Blood Pressure
Is your recent diagnosis of hypertension worrying you? According to statistics from CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) 33.5% adults over the age of 20 suffer from high blood pressure in the USA. And here’s the worrying part — you don’t have to be over 40 years old to get diagnosed with hypertension. A stressful lifestyle with a hectic work schedule coupled with poor eating habits increases risk of high blood pressure, which means that many Americans in their 30s are already diagnosed with hypertension. Your doctor has probably prescribed drugs to get your blood pressure under control, but none of these come without undesirable side effects. If you’d like to try alternative therapies that are safer, gentler and more affordable, we highly recommend you start adding these herbs and spices to your diet. Wondering what’s the difference? Herbs come from the leafy and green part of the plant. On the other hand, Spices come from non-leafy parts of the plant — such as the root, stem, bulb, bark or seeds. And now that we’ve cleared this up, let’s take a quick look at some of the best herbs that lower blood pressure, along with a few spices thrown in to give you a more comprehensive list, and also discuss why they’re good for you. Black Cumin Seeds Also known as Nigella sativa seeds, these have been traditionally used as a spice but also revered for their medicinal properties. Studies suggest that daily use of black cumin seed extract for 2 months may have a blood pressure-lowering effect in patients with mild hypertension (HT). It also helps reduce LDL cholesterol levels, which is further beneficial for cardiac health. Similar results were seen when 70 healthy volunteers aged 34 to 63 years were given Nigella sativa oil for 8 weeks in a clinical tri Continue reading >>
Complementary And Alternative Medical Therapies For Diabetes
Additional Information on Complementary and Alternative Medical Therapies for Diabetes The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine , part of the National Institutes of Health, defines complementary and alternative medicine as a "group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine." Complementary medicine is used with conventional therapy, whereas alternative medicine is used instead of conventional medicine. Some people with diabetes use complementary or alternative therapies to treat diabetes . Although some of these therapies may be effective, others can be ineffective or even harmful. Patients who use complementary and alternative medicine need to let their health care providers know what they are doing. Some complementary and alternative medicine therapies are discussed below. For more information, talk with your health care provider. Acupuncture is a procedure in which a practitioner inserts needles into designated points on the skin . Some scientists believe that acupuncture triggers the release of the body's natural painkillers. Acupuncture has been shown to offer relief from chronic pain . Acupuncture is sometimes used by people with neuropathy, the painful nerve damage of diabetes. Biofeedback is a technique that helps a person become more aware of and learn to deal with the body's response to pain. This alternative therapy emphasizes relaxation and stress-reduction techniques. Guided imagery is a relaxation technique that some professionals who use biofeedback do. With guided imagery, a person thinks of peaceful mental images, such as ocean waves. A person may also include the images of controlling or curing a chronic disease, such as diabetes. Peopl Continue reading >>
Herbs To Lower Blood Pressure
Many adults around the world deal with hypertension, also called high blood pressure. There are ways to treat the condition, including lifestyle changes or medications. If you’re thinking of trying herbs for medical reasons, whether it’s the whole herb or a supplement, speak to your doctor first. Some herbs, especially in large quantities, may produce undesirable side effects or interfere with other medications. Read on to learn more about herbs and the research surrounding them. Basil is a delicious herb that goes well in a variety of foods. It also might help lower your blood pressure. Extract of basil has been shown to lower blood pressure, although only briefly. Adding fresh basil to your diet is easy and certainly can’t hurt. Keep a small pot of the herb in your kitchen garden and add the fresh leaves to pastas, soups, salads, and casseroles. Cinnamon is another tasty seasoning that requires little effort to include in your daily diet, and it may bring your blood pressure numbers down. Consuming cinnamon every day may lower blood pressure in people with diabetes, according to a paper in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Include more cinnamon in your diet by sprinkling it on your breakfast cereal, oatmeal, and even in your coffee. At dinner, cinnamon enhances the flavor of stir-fries, curries, and stews. Cardamom is a seasoning that comes from India and is often used in South Asian cuisine. A study investigating the health effects of cardamom found that participants saw significant reductions in their blood pressure readings after taking daily cardamom for several months. You can include cardamom seeds or powder in spice rubs, soups and stews, and even baked goods for a special flavor and a positive health benefit. Read more: The health potential of cardamom Continue reading >>
Alternative Treatments For Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes doesn't just affect blood sugar and insulin secretion—it also can lead to a host of other problems including kidney damage, blood vessel thickening, nerve damage and pain. Find out more below about common alternative and complementary methods, vitamins, minerals, herbs and foods used to treat type 2 diabetes and other conditions associated with it. Acetyl L-Carnitine In a double-blind study of people with diabetic neuropathy, supplementing with acetyl-L-carnitine was significantly more effective than a placebo in improving subjective symptoms of neuropathy and objective measures of nerve function. People who received 1,000 mg of acetyl-L-carnitine three times per day tended to fare better than those who received 500 mg three times per day. Aloe Two small controlled human trials have found that aloe, either alone or in combination with the oral hypoglycemic drug, glibenclamide, effectively lowers blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Alpha Lipoic Acid Alpha lipoic acid is a powerful natural antioxidant. Preliminary and double blind trials have found that supplementing 600 to 1,200 mg of lipoic acid per day improves insulin sensitivity and the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. In a preliminary study, supplementing with 600 mg of alpha lipoic acid per day for 18 months slowed the progression of kidney damage in patients with type 2 diabetes. American Ginseng In a small pilot study, 3 grams of American ginseng was found to lower the rise in blood sugar following the consumption of a drink high in glucose by people with type 2 diabetes. Antioxidants Because oxidation damage is believed to play a role in the development of diabetic retinopathy, antioxidant nutrients might be protective. One doctor has administered a daily regimen of 500 mcg selenium, 80 Continue reading >>
The Ultimate Guide For Lowering Blood Pressure Naturally
The Ultimate Guide for Lowering Blood Pressure Naturally The Complete Pritikin Program for Lowering High Blood Pressure With Little Or No Medication. Includes Recipes and 5-Day Meal Plan. In more than 100 studies published in prestigious medical journals, the Pritikin Program has been found to not only promote weight loss and lower blood pressure naturally, but also prevent and control many of the industrialized world's other leading killers, including diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. 83% Discontinued High Blood Pressure Medication Among 216 adults who entered the Pritikin Center taking pills for hypertension, 83% left Pritikin free of these pills, and with significant reductions in blood pressure. Most of the remaining 17% had their pill dosages reduced. Journal of Cardiac Rehabilitation, 3: 839, 1983. See also Circulation, 106: 2530, 2002. Blood Pressure Lowered To Normal Or Near-Normal Levels In a meta-analysis of 1,117 people with hypertension who attended the Pritikin Center for three weeks, systolic blood pressure fell on average 9%. Diastolic blood pressure fell 9%. Of those taking pills for hypertension, 55% left Pritikin pill-free, and the majority of the others had their dosages reduced. Journal of Applied Physiology, 98: 3, 2005. Lower Your Blood Pressure While On Vacation A stay at Pritikin will change your life. Lower high blood pressure, lose weight, and return home with the tools needed to live a healthier life. All-Inclusive Health Resort Ultimate Guide for Lowering Blood Pressure Naturally Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is by far the most common form of cardiovascular disease in the U.S. More than 90% of Americans can expect to develop it in their lifetime. While most Americans with hypertension are treated primarily with drugs, these drugs Continue reading >>
High Blood Pressure: Major Risk Factor For Heart Disease
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the top 4 silent killers because it has no early significant symptoms. The American Heart Association estimates that up to one third of people living with high blood pressure are unaware of the fact that their blood pressure is high, and many people are unaware of the risks of high blood pressure. The danger from high blood pressure is the extra load on the heart, leading to complications such as hypertensive heart disease. High blood pressure can also seriously damage the kidneys. And it does all this silently, without any major symptoms, except when the high blood pressure gets extreme. High blood pressure is usually one of the first signs that the cardiovascular system is lacking key nutrients and is under serious stress and deterioration. This is due to the heart’s extra force required to push the blood through the arteries eventually causing damage to the inner lining of the arteries. This, in turn, causes inflammation and oxidative stress, leaving the arteries susceptible to the buildup of fatty plaque that can narrow or block the arteries and reduce blood flow to the body’s organs. In some men, this can lead to erectile dysfunction, which may be an early sign of endothelial dysfunction, which is a precursor to cardiovascular disease. However, because of the success and popularity of ED drugs such as Viagara and Cialis, most men fail to address their cardiovascular health. As a result, a heart attack or a stroke is imminent unless there is some form of intervention, e. g. dietary, lifestyle changes. WARNING! When left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to cardiovascular disease (aka heart disease), congestive heart failure (CHF), kidney damage, heart failure, stroke, and loss of vision from damage to the ret Continue reading >>
Potential Effect Of Herbs On Diabetic Hypertension: Alternative Medicine Treatment Modalities.
Clin Ter. 2013;164(6):529-35. doi: 10.7417/CT.2013.1633. Potential effect of herbs on diabetic hypertension: alternative medicine treatment modalities. Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abd Aziz, 50300, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Diabetes mellitus is commonly known to lead to life threatening complications. Among them, hypertension is one complication which may be highlighted. In modern medical society, several drugs and treatment regimen have developed to treat diabetes mellitus. Although they obtain positive impacts, yet there are certain limitations encountered in the management of the disease due to their adverse effects and non-compliance by the patients. Herbs have been valued as a supplement in treating chronic oxidative stress disorder like diabetes mellitus. In the present review, some of the herbs which possess both anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hypertensive properties are being highlighted. Potential herbs which include Andrographis Paniculata, Ammi Visnaga, Allium sativum, Phyllanthus amarus, Ginkgo biloba, Solanum tuberosum, Tuberosum L. Piper sarmentosum and Lamiaceae family are known to possess antihypertensive properties. Various researches have been conducted on these herbs and positive results have been obtained. Based on these results, the present review article discusses the alternative management of diabetic hypertension with the herbal medicine. In conclusion, the present review article stresses on the need to ensure global awareness about the traditional medicines while treating diabetic hypertension. Continue reading >>
