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Sudden
rise in blood pressure and severe uncontrolled hypertension lead to
complications such as paralytic stroke, heart attack, congestive
heart failure, kidney failure and even blindness due to detachment
of retina.
Once
detected, high blood pressure is to be treated throughout.
Maintaining blood pressure at safe level should be the aim of an
hypertensive individual. This requires a little sacrifice and
determination to abide by restrictions.
Treatment
Blood
pressure is normally maintained within safe limits by the following
factors :
-
Pumping
action of the heart
-
Elasticity
of the blood vessels.
-
Quality
of blood flowing in the blood stream.
-
Viscosity
(thickness) of blood.
-
Peripheral
arterial resistance.
By
following a drugless method most of the above factors can be taken
care of.
The
quality of blood can be improved by following the strict regimen of
diet which comprises.
-
Caloric
restriction, if overweight.
-
10-15%
fat, 60-70% carbohydrate and 15-20% protein.
-
Low
in cholesterol.
-
Low
in salt which eliminates excess water.
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Increased
dietary fibre.
Treatments
such as neutral half bath, neutral half bath with friction and Epsom
salt, and steam baths ( in case of mild hypertension), result in
peripheral vasodilatation which relaxes the heart muscle and
improves peripheral arterial resistance. By means of hot and
cold water treatments, blood circulation to the periphery as well as
to the internal organs could be improved. By such treatments,
popularly known as " vascular training"' the elasticity (
constriction and relaxation ) of the blood vessels could be
improved.
-
Cold
spinal bath, ice massage to the head and spine, Trauma and cold
pack to head, cold friction, sponger bath, mud bath and cold
chest packs all help in bringing down the blood pressure
immediately.
-
Mud
packs applied to abdomen regularly improve circulation to the
abdominal region.
-
Full
body massages done in reverse direction, once or twice a week,
not only relax the skeletal muscles but also improve peripheral
circulation and lymphatic drainage.
-
Yoga
therapy, which comprises of yogic Kriyas, Pranayama,
asanas and Yoganidra, helps in cleansing the internal system,
improving immunity, functioning capacity of the internal organs,
providing flexibility, agility, endurance and also a deep sense
of relaxation. The heart muscle when relaxed reduces pulse
rate, heart beat and blood pressure.
Like
any other chronic disease, high blood pressure is to be treated
throughout. By following above norms blood pressure could be
maintained at safe level throughout life.
Varicose Veins
Varicose
veins are irregularly dilated, lengthened and thickened veins.
They may appear on any part of the body-the oesophageal,
haemorrhoidal and spermatic veins but most commonly in the legs.
Approximately 20% of population of developed countries have Varicose
veins in their legs. Women are more prone (ratio 5:1) and the
left leg is more commonly affected than right by the disease.
Sixty six per cent of sufferers usually have a strong family history
of Varicose veins.
The
veins are the vessels which carry the blood back to the heart.
They have valves, which ensure the flow of blood only in one
direction. When veins dilate, their valves become incompetent,
resulting in pooling and stagnation of blood in the superficial
veins. Consequently the water in the stagnated and pooled
blood rushes to tissue spaces in the leg leading to oedema
(swelling) and later on to other complications such as pigmentation
of skin (discolouration), fat necrosis, (destruction of fatty
tissue), Eczema and finally Ischaemia (lack of blood supply) and
ulceration.
Varicose
Veins are usually seen amongst people who work stranding or sitting
for long periods of time. Traffic policemen, teachers and
people practising such other vocation and sedentary workers
are more prone to the problem. Gravitational pull, obesity and
hormonal influences increase the problem.
Varicose
veins results in pain, fatigue and heaviness in the legs, ankle
swelling, cramps in the legs especially at night, pigmentation of
skin, Stasis Dermatitis, Cellulitis of lower limb, etc.
Treatment
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Reduction
of weight, if overweight.
-
Avoiding
standing or sitting for long time.
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Neutral
immersion bath with Epsom salt.
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Contrast
foot bath (Alternate hot and cold) periodically to relieve
cramps, aches and pains.
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Cold
packs to the legs applied at night daily are also beneficial.
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Direct
mud application to the legs once a while (if there is no
ulceration).
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Elevation
of affected leg with the help of pillows helps in draining
venous blood.
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Drink
plenty of tender coconut water, barley water, Dhania water or
cucumber juice without salt to remove excess water from the
system.
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Wear
elastic stockings if prolonged standing or sitting cannot be
avoided. They help to compress the varicose veins.
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Regular
exercises such as contracting leg muscles help the movement of
stagnant blood in the veins.
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Walking
or treading in cold water relieves painful swelling of veins.
By reducing gravitational pull, the venous drainage is improved.
The massaging effect due to movement in water helps in
stimulating nerve endings around the blood vessels.
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