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Controlling hypertension without drugs Complementary medicines for multiple sclerosis Alcohol increases breast cancer risks Gardens for good health! Ayurveda & you |
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Controlling hypertension without drugs Yes. Various national and international bodies, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), have recommended controlling and preventing hypertension by non-drug therapy. A study published in the Journal of the Association of Physicians of India emphasised the role of family physicians for explaining non-drug measures to the patients, howsoever busy they may be. What are non-drug measures? Salt in diet: It is an old discovery and universal truth that reduction of dietary sodium chloride salt lowers the blood pressure levels. The best would be to take minimum possible salt in one cooked vegetable only. It may not be used on salad, curd, etc. A word of caution: it is often seen people restricting salt during lunch and dinner or breakfast but taking a lot a spicy food articles in between. The quality of food may differ from state to state or country to country. In northern India, for example, people take pickles, chutney, papad, salted nuts, salted dal, bhujiya, samosa, kachori, chips, burger. Their restriction is a must so that dietary salt may not exceed the required amount and increase the blood pressure level. It may be noted that canned food contains more salt. Other food articles containing salt that needs to be cut down may be listed thus: chaat masala, other various namkeen snacks, mixtures, salted butter, processed cheese, salad dressings, etc. Fast foods and antacids containing salts may only be taken sparingly. Main aim is that minimum possible salt may be used without making the food tasteless. Once you start taking less salt, in due course, you will become so used to it that you may better like foods with less salt. You may make your food tasty by moderately using spices, garlic, lemon, hari and pahari mirch, adrak, etc. It is a matter of one’s own. choice and above all suitability. Potassium salt can also be substituted for conventional salt. Potassium: Addition of potassium in the diet helps lowering of blood pressure levels. Therefore, it would be advisable to take especially fruits that contain more potassium like orange, malta, mousmi, kinu — citrus fruits. Potassium is also greater in bananas. However, one must look up his or her blood sugar levels before taking very sweet fruits containing potassium. You have to be careful while you are taking additional potassium in your diet. It is not recommended in kidney dysfunction. If someone is on ACE inhibitors or angiotensive receotor blocker antihypertensive drugs, potassium supplement is not indicated. In contrast to taking of low sodium salt, addition of potassium needs careful and full consideration. Diet in general: Vegetables cooked or as salad are preferred. Non-vegetarian diet should be minimised. Fruits are equally good. Use the least possible polyunsaturated oils, available freely in the market, for cooking. Oils and fats contain almost double the calories as compared to other food articles. One need to consult his or her family doctor for the calories required which vary from individual to individual depending upon his or her nature of work. A laborious job shall certainly require more calories. Calorie reckoners are readily available. Dietary fibres help. For example, take bran along with flour. Likewise, whole cereals should be preferred. Dalia for breakfast can be taken. Exercise:
It is also an old dictum that exercise lowers blood pressure levels. Depending upon one’s health status, exercise must be undertaken. Simple walking that needs to be enough brisk, again keeping in view one’s health condition, particularly the heart involvement, if any, would serve the purposes. 30-40 minutes’ walk daily is the prescribed one. There are other good exercises as well like jogging, running, etc. The young can also adopt some games. One needs to consult his or her physician. Physical exercise even prevents the onset of high blood pressure. It is an important part of the non-drug treatment of high blood pressure. Vigorous exercise, especially sudden one, that too after the age of 40-50 years, needs to be taken with utmost caution and may even prove harmful or fatal in some of the cases. Sex is an important exercise. It can be a dynamic or a static exercise. It may even be a psychological exercise, but it does not seem to be an intellectual exercise. Irrespective of the type of exercise, the blood pressure rises considerably while performing intercourse. It is important to be aware of it. Those who are suffering from high blood pressure may, therefore, avoid over-indulgence in sex. It is dangerous if hypertensive people indulge in sex without an adequate control of blood pressure. Better, consult your physician. Yogic relaxation exercises are beneficial. These need to be taken or learnt under the guidance of an expert. Again, assessment of the basic health condition by the physician is necessary before any yogic or other exercises are initiated. Regular yogic and other exercises are essential. It is regularity that pays. Addictions:
Heavy smoking, tobacco chewing and alcohol consumption cause rise in blood pressure. If these are stopped, blood pressure shall tend to fall slowly. Caffeine: It temporarily raises the blood pressure level. If you take two-three cups of coffee at a time, containing about 200-250 mg. of caffeine, blood pressure may rise to about 10 mm Hg and it usually remains elevated for about two hours or so. There is no significant rise of blood pressure if coffee is taken in routine. Body weight: There is co-relation between blood pressure and body weight; the former rises significantly with increasing body weight. Hence reduction of weight is advisable. Obesity should not be taken lightly. Mental stress:
Mental stress plays an important role in the causation of psychosomatic ailments, and hypertension is often its manifestation. Some stress is inevitable for the progress of an individual. However, composed calmness should be the way of life. Who are the best-suited for non-drug measures? The cases that are detected at the earliest possible, and they have not yet developed any complications, and blood pressure is mildly or moderately raised are the best suited for non-drug measures. If the patient is already on drugs for lowering blood pressure, even then non-drug measures will reduce the intake of drugs. Non-drug measures cover all. Time/patience is the key to this therapy. The writer is a Patiala-based consulting physician and author of “How to Prevent Common Serious Diseases”.
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Complementary medicines for multiple sclerosis
LONDON: The role of complementary therapies such as fish oils, reflexology and t'ai chi in treating disease are recognised for the first time in official NHS guidance published on November 25. The cautious and still only partial endorsement of the possible benefits from such treatments in easing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis comes from the
government's clinical watchdog for England and Wales, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice). Complementary treatments are widely used by patients with the progressive, incurable disease. Even this small step by Nice is a significant recognition of the avenues pursued by patients desperate to find relief from pain, fatigue and other symptoms. It is understood that another clinical guideline expected soon - for treating depression - will also acknowledge a place for complementary therapy. The MS guidelines, aimed at health professionals, still leave much of the onus and risk from complementary medicine - both medical and financial - on individual patients. However, it will mean that doctors raise the issue of alternative treatments with patients early on. It says patients should be informed that there is "some evidence to suggest" that some might have benefits, even if there is not enough evidence to make firm recommendations.
— The Guardian
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Alcohol
increases breast cancer risks
WASHINGTON: A study by The National Cancer Institute has revealed that drinking alcohol, even in moderation, may increase a woman's breast cancer risk. Consuming one or two alcoholic drinks per day was found to increase blood levels of the fat hormone leptin in postmenopausal women taking part. Early research shows that elevated leptin levels may be associated with an increased breast cancer risk, as well as colorectal and prostate cancers. "This study provides insight into how this hormone could potentially impact the health of women," researcher Mark J. Roth, MD, tells WebMD. In another study published just last month, moderate drinking was linked to a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but diabetes risk tripled among women consuming three or more drinks per day. Roth and NCI colleagues studied 53 healthy, nonsmoking, postmenopausal women. Each woman rotated through three eight-week observation periods in which they drank either no alcohol, one drink per day, or two drinks per day. The researchers found that women who drank the equivalent of one or two drinks per day had blood leptin levels that were 7 per cent and 9 per cent higher, respectively, than women who did not drink alcohol. Once age was taken into account, the association between alcohol consumption and leptin was significant only among women between the ages of 49 and 54 with a 24 per cent jump in leptin levels. The findings are reported in the Nov. 19 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
— ANI
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Gardens for good health!
TEXAS: According to a research by Texas A&M University, adding greenery to the cold environment of hospitals and other healthcare centers can reduce stress in patients, visitors and staff and even lessen a patient's pain to some extent. Roger Ulrich, professor and director of the Center for Health Systems & Design at Texas A&M's College of Architecture says that a growing body of research is giving credibility to the widely held belief that nature is beneficial for the health. He says, "Knowledge and research into fields such as health psychology and behavioral medicine have demonstrated that there need not be anything magical about the processes through which gardens in healthcare facilities should be capable of reducing stress and improving patients' health". Ulrich's research lays special emphasis on the effects of built and natural environments on people's psychological well - being, stress and health. He says that most of the healthcare facilities these days are incorporating "healing gardens" into their designs as part of an international movement that aims to improve the quality of healthcare. Ulrich explains that "healing gardens" refer to a variety of garden features like green vegetation, flowers and water that is soothing for the eye, relieves stress and has positive influences on patients, visitors, staff and caregivers.
— ANI |
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Ayurveda & you OF the three body humors envisaged by
ayurveda, the “kapha” has been described as static, slow, dense, cold, unctuous and heavy. People with overwhelming “kapha” characters are individuals having a stout and well-developed body covered with muscles and fat. With a thick, moist, soft and smooth skin, they have a tendency towards obesity. They also have a deep and prolonged sleep pattern and with a conciliatory mental approach, “kapha” people are usually slow to anger. Endowed with a steady and easy going nature, they are known for their measured reactions to the matters concerning them. Though the appetite of “kapha” people is constant, their slow metabolic rate and fat accumulating predisposition usually make them say that if they take water, it acts like ghee. Individuals with the “kapha” dominance do best with a warm, light and dry diet and they are the only one who can conveniently fast once a week. Tastes that increase “kapha” are sweet, salty and sour, whereas pungent, bitter and astringent tastes decrease it. Food that is cold, heavy and oily also has an adverse effect on them. “Kapha” people should carefully plan their diet scheme which focuses more on lunch as their principal meal. Although they do well on a lighter breakfast and dinner, they can also adjust themselves to two main meals like the one at mid-day and the other early in the evening. “Kapha” types have a tendency to crave for sweet and oily dessert and are also known for their off-time raids at the kitchen, a habit they should always avoid. A diet of whole grains and steamed vegetables is best suited to them. Salad of raw vegetables also has a salutary effect on their system, but rice is usually unsuitable to them. Fruits like apple, peaches, pears, apricots and pomegranates and those which are not overwhelmingly sweet and sour are favourable to the “kapha” persons. They can sparingly take dry fruits, but most of the nuts due to their oily nature are not good for them. Since oils are unctuous and heavy and have the same nature as
“kapha”, they should be used in a very small quantity. However, mustard oil is considered lighter than the oils derived from sunflower and groundnut but still “kapha” persons are best advised to check their menu carefully to exclude any food item which has high oil contents and is greasy and fried. Since most of the dairy products are heavy for “kapha” persons, they are advised to use ghee or butter as little as possible. The milk of buffalo is heavier than that of cow.
Ayurveda indicates that it is the goat milk which suits best to a typically “kapha” person. Next comes the buttermilk prepared by blending one part of low fat curd with three to four parts of water. Spices like ginger, clove, pepper, cinnamon, cumin and coriander increase a person’s metabolism and prevent fat and water from accumulating in the tissues. They are beneficial if used in moderation by the “kapha” type. Excessive salt should be avoided. “Kapha” people generally do not need meat as they are less likely to suffer from tissue deficiency. However, if they are to take such foods, it should be roasted and not fried. Disciplined use of stimulants like tea, coffee or herbal tea and controlled and occasional use of alcohol may also be beneficial to them. As sleeping immediately after meals adds to various “kapha” problems in the body, they are best advised to take a gentle walk after eating. To keep their system active and fit, a regular or occasional intake of one to two gm of Trifla Churna or the Trikatu Churna made of powders of black and long pepper and dry ginger in equal quantity is the most suitable and safe medicine for “kapha” persons. The writer is a Ludhiana-based ayurvedic consultant. |
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CAN
a patient of hypertension (blood pressure) be treated without drugs?