Hypertension is a multifactorial pathology, its origin cannot be explained by a specific cause. And this complicates the selection of therapeutic measures to influence it. The treatment of hypertension is reduced to maintaining an optimal level of pressure, alleviating the patient's condition and preventing possible complications. The disease can be fought with a variety of methods, and each stage requires a special approach. To achieve the maximum effect, the treatment of hypertension must reasonably combine traditional and non-traditional methods, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient.
what is hypertension
Before knowing how to treat hypertension, you need to understand what it is. Hypertension is a disease, a clear sign that it is an increase in blood pressure. It is considered high when the values on the tonometer scale regularly, for a certain time, exceed the norm, reach 140/90 and above. Other signs occur with the progression of the pathological condition. Common symptoms of hypertension include:
- headache;
- frequent dizziness and weakness;
- nausea, which can turn into vomiting;
- signs of increased arousal (nervousness, aggression, irritability);
- bad sleep;
- arrhythmia, heart pain;
- forgetfulness.
High blood pressure develops when blood vessel walls are damaged and they lose their ability to relax and contract on their own, adjusting to changing conditions. This happens under the influence of certain factors that cause prolonged stress on the vascular system. The main triggering factor of hypertension is considered to be excessive excitation of the central nervous system, caused by strong emotional experiences.
Other factors also play an important role:
- a lot of salty food on the menu;
- obesity;
- lack of physical activity;
- body aging;
- severe overwork;
- the habit of using cigarettes, alcohol;
- hereditary predisposition to the disease.
To understand how to deal with hypertension, it is necessary to have an idea of its types, stages and degrees.
Essential arterial hypertension is diagnosed in most cases. It occurs as an independent pathology under the influence of a set of several factors. When primary hypertension is treated, lifelong maintenance drug therapy is prescribed, combined with optimizing the overall lifestyle and pace of life.
Symptomatic arterial hypertension occurs as a manifestation (symptom) of another disease. Hypertension of the secondary type manifests itself more sharply and brightly, proceeds more severely and more rapidly. To deal with this pathology, you need to directly influence the cause of its appearance. Often, hypertension can be treated in this case by surgery alone.
Hypertension and its treatment go through different stages in its development. Three stages are distinguished based on the level of damage to target organs: the first stage is characterized by the absence of such lesions, the third stage causes irreversible and life-threatening processes. Such a concept as the degree of the disease indicates the level of increase in blood pressure in hypertension. There are also three grades: in the first, the pressure rises slightly and irregularly, the third is distinguished by high, persistent and poorly corrected tonometer readings. The second stage and the second degree can be characterized as transient.
Modern methods of dealing with pathology
Modern treatment involves traditional and classical methods of treatment, which can be complemented by alternative, non-traditional methods. The traditional method is based on drug therapy.
About drug therapy
There is a certain list of drugs that fall into the traditional treatment pattern of hypertension. All of them are prescribed by a doctor only, taken throughout a lifetime according to the prescribed regimen and dosage. Unauthorized cancellation or substitution of medications is not allowed. When hypertension develops, treatment should not be stopped, even if the pressure level has returned to normal and the person feels fine.
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
Drug features:
- They have few side effects.
- They are able to protect the kidneys and heart from possible complications, they can maintain normal pressure for a long time.
- These drugs are often used as monotherapy but can be used in combination with other agents.
- The essence of the action of ACE inhibitors is to prevent the transition from ACE 1 to ACE 2.
- You can start taking antihypertensive drugs for hypertension from this group in the event that the hypertension responds well to medication control.
Angiotensin 2 receptor blockers (ARBs)
BRAs are a relatively new drug. In the treatment of hypertension, it has been used for a short time. Distinctive features:
- Modern drugs give even fewer adverse reactions.
- Effectively protect the internal organs.
- They have good antihypertensive properties.
- Angiotensin 2 under the influence of these drugs cannot constrict blood vessels, because the receptors within the vessels that transmit a signal to contract the vascular wall are blocked.
beta blockers
Description:
- They belong to the old generation drug group.
- They are prescribed for persistent high blood pressure with high blood pressure.
- Suitable for patients with heart problems.
- They have some side effects.
- Medications are usually combined with diuretics.
- There are contraindications for use (diabetes mellitus, arrhythmia, obstructive processes in the bronchi).
calcium antagonists
Distinctive properties and characteristics:
- They do not allow calcium ions to penetrate the vessel cell, which reduces the rigidity of the vascular walls.
- Drugs dilate blood vessels, improve coronary circulation in hypertension.
- Allows you to effectively control the level of upper and lower pressure values.
- There are some side effects.
- The tablets have contraindications (narrowed aorta, impaired metabolism).
diuretics
Otherwise, they are called diuretics. Main features:
- Remove excess fluid from the body.
- Reduce potassium level in cells.
- It can lead to dehydration and hypokalemia (lack of potassium).
- Normalize blood pressure well.
- They are used as single drugs and in combination with other drugs.
And now briefly about some alternative treatments for a condition like high blood pressure.
Physiotherapy
This therapy complements the main treatment of hypertension very well. Its use allows you to reduce the dose of drugs and, in some cases, allows you to do without them completely. Benefits of physical therapy:
- improves the condition of blood vessels;
- normalizes blood flow in the brain;
- stabilizes coronary circulation;
- helps relieve nervous tension.
When hypertension develops, what treatment may be recommended:
- The use of a galvanic collar based on a solution of magnesium sulfate and novocaine.
- The use of general darsonvalization.
- Electrosleep.
- Massage procedures. The impact is in the head and collar area.
- Treatment with bromine electrophoresis.
What treatment of the disease can still be tried?
treatment with iodine
Iodine is necessary to ensure normal oxidative processes that stimulate brain activity. Without it, the normal functioning of the thyroid gland is impossible. The mineral is able to neutralize unstable microbes, which leads to an improvement in mood and a decrease in irritability. It increases the elasticity of blood vessel walls and has a beneficial effect on blood plasma. It gives energy, helps to burn fat deposits, keeps teeth healthy, nails and hair strong and shiny.
The treatment of hypertension with iodine is the so-called "Indian method". How to overcome hypertension with its help? It is necessary to carry out courses of such treatment twice: in early autumn and in early spring. The full course lasts 20 days. After the first 10 days of treatment, they take a break for another 10 days and continue for the next decade. The essence of the treatment boils down to drawing circles with iodine and a cotton swab on specific areas of the body according to a certain pattern. Every day a new circle is drawn in a new place.
Treatment with vitamins and minerals
It is believed that for effective treatment of hypertension, you need to take a special complex of minerals and vitamins. This method is based on the assumption that one of the main causes of high blood pressure is a lack of magnesium in the blood. Proponents of this method believe that taking magnesium in combination with vitamin B6, as well as elements such as taurine (a natural diuretic), fish oil (a natural source of valuable amino acids), you can strengthen the cardiovascular system and completely abandon drugs.
low carb diet
How to remove hypertension diet symptoms? Fast carbs are a source of excess weight and blood cholesterol, they increase the risk of developing diabetes. These factors negatively affect the condition of the vessels. By reducing the amount of carbohydrates in the diet with the help of a special diet, you can get a decrease in blood pressure. Good results can be achieved by combining a diet with magnesium intake as well as moderate exercise.
In addition to these methods, high blood pressure can be treated with homeopathy, hirudotherapy, exercise therapy, acupuncture, acupressure, breathing exercises, herbal medicine, yoga.
Standard complex therapy principles and schemes
There are two approaches to drug therapy for hypertension.
- Clinical recommendations for the treatment of arterial hypertension in this case are as follows: drug exposure should begin with monotherapy. A drug is prescribed first. The dose at the same time is offered as little as possible in a particular situation. If the effect is insufficient, the dose is gradually increased. If there is still no result or the drug has undesirable side effects, it is replaced by another one. As a more extreme option, monotherapy is replaced by combined treatment.
- The principles of high blood pressure treatment are completely different here. Advocates of a different approach are sure that it is advisable to immediately start treatment with not one but several drugs. It is believed that two or more drugs from different groups, well combined with each other, will work more effectively together than separately. Each of them eliminates the adverse reactions caused by the other. In this case, it is possible to reduce the dose of both drugs as much as possible. And the effect will be high. This method of treatment is especially good for patients who are at high risk of developing complications in the form of heart and blood vessel diseases.
For the convenience of patients, combined action drugs began to appear in pharmacies, which combine several active ingredients from different groups of drugs at once. It is convenient to take these pills (drink one a day), and this is an important advantage.
Effective treatment of hypertension depends on the right drug combinations.
Recommended combinations of drug treatment for high blood pressure:
- diuretic in combination with an ACE inhibitor;
- an ACE inhibitor together with a calcium antagonist;
- the use of a calcium antagonist in conjunction with an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker;
- diuretic and calcium antagonist;
- a diuretic in conjunction with an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker;
- beta-blocker and diuretic;
- calcium channel blocker together with a beta-blocker.
Each stage of the disease requires compliance with a specific regimen and principles of hypertension treatment.
First phase (140/90 - 160/100)
How to treat first stage hypertension? At an early stage of the disease, drugs are not prescribed. It is recommended to use them only in case of a hypertensive crisis, when you need to provide first aid quickly and effectively. The first stage is the easiest, the pressure can be normalized by maintaining the correct lifestyle. At this stage, you can actively use herbal medicine, massage, exercise therapy, physical therapy and other alternative non-drug therapy methods.
Hypertension, as a pathology of the first stage, does not require the use of drugs. They are not used to stabilize pressure, but only if it is necessary to reduce central nervous system excitation, normalize cerebral blood flow, and also affect the underlying disease (if we are talking about secondary hypertension).
Second stage (160/100 - 180/110)
In most cases, it involves taking medication. Some patients deal with small doses and monotherapy. For others, it is necessary to increase the dose or prescribe drug combinations. Medications are prescribed not only to reduce pressure, but also to prevent complications from developing.
Drug therapy is combined with preventive measures, lifestyle optimization and elimination of provoking factors.
Third stage (180/110 and above)
Principles of treatment of hypertension at this stage:
- You cannot suddenly reduce the pressure.
- It is advisable to reduce the tonometer indicators by no more than 15% of the initial values.
- When a severe stage of the disease is treated, the patient should receive a combination therapy of 2-3 drugs.
- If symptomatic hypertension is detected, drugs are prescribed. affecting the cause of the main disease. If necessary, surgical treatment is prescribed.
One must strive to minimize risk factors, follow all recommendations for the treatment of hypertension that the doctor suggests. It is important at this stage to monitor the condition of the organs called targets of hypertension: heart, kidneys, brain, eyes, blood vessels.
Kidney disease often causes high blood pressure. Drug treatment of nephrogenic (secondary) hypertension should provide:
- pressure level normalization;
- relief of the patient's well-being, removal of unpleasant symptoms;
- inhibition of the development of renal failure;
- prolonging the patient's life.
Most of the time, medications are used to prepare the patient for surgery or post-operatively. Complex treatment is also advisable for the elderly and those who are contraindicated in anesthesia. The most effective and often the only measure to combat kidney pathology is surgical treatment.
How to treat yourself properly and effectively
You can treat hypertension at home, but it is advisable to discuss all your actions with your doctor so that the treatment is beneficial, not harmful.
There are many effective and safe blood pressure lowering methods that traditional medicine offers. How to treat high blood pressure without medication?
baths. Using a hot foot bath will reduce the pressure well and quickly, especially when adding mustard powder to the water.
Grenade. Fruit in hypertension is very useful in itself. But you can be treated to pomegranate peels. They are brewed instead of tea and drunk in unlimited quantities.
gooseberry. It is useful in any form, especially fresh. You can make jam, drink juice, make jam, it is very tasty and healthy to eat fresh fruit, mashed with sugar. It will remove the unpleasant symptoms associated with high blood pressure.
Useful vegetables. High blood pressure can be treated by eating various vegetables. Beets are useful in any form. Its juice copes well with atherosclerosis, lowers blood pressure. Baked potatoes "in uniform" contain a lot of potassium, which is good for the heart and blood vessels. Fights pressure and strengthens blood vessels Onions, just like garlic, you need to eat them every day.
Healing Elixir. Ingredients: onion (1 unit), Garlic (4 cloves), dry mountain ash (tablespoon). Grind all this, pour cold water (1 liter) and cook after boiling for 15 minutes on low heat. After that, pour a pinch of herbs: cudweed, dill, parsley. All this is mixed well and boiled for another 15 minutes.
After cooking, cool and strain. Then get rid of high blood pressure by taking a tablespoon and a half up to 4 times a day. It is necessary to drink the medicine before meals, for half an hour. The entire course will take about ten days. After taking a break of 21 days, again undergo a course of treatment.
Rosehip with honey. Brew a tablespoon of rosehip (fruit) in boiling water (500 g), then heat over low heat for 10 minutes. Then cool and pass through gauze. You can drink the recommended remedy in any amount by adding honey (1 tablespoon) to the drink.
Mineral water drink. In mineral water (200 g), add honey (1 tablespoon), lemon (juice of half a fruit), stir everything. To deal with hypertension, you need to drink the drug before meals in the morning, a glass during the week.
Is it possible to permanently get rid of hypertension?
If secondary hypertension is diagnosed, fighting it can be quite effective. How to treat high blood pressure in this case? Timely finding the cause of the disease and its elimination will lead to a complete cure for hypertension. A good result gives surgical treatment. The patient can avoid serious complications and end hypertension once and for all.
In the case of essential (primary) hypertension, complete cure can only be expected at an early stage in the development of the disease. To do this, you need to get into the habit of regularly measuring blood pressure, this applies to absolutely everyone, even healthy people. Everyone can spend a few minutes on this simple procedure. Timely fluctuations observed in indicators can prevent the progression of hypertension.
How to get rid of hypertension for good? To combat the onset of the disease, you need to reconsider your priorities. It is important to understand that the further development of events depends only on the person himself. What needs to be done to cure the disease:
- time and complete rest;
- protect the nervous system;
- abandon the salt almost completely;
- force yourself to walk more often, move more, exercise regularly, or at least exercise;
- don't sit at the computer for a long time;
- try to lose weight if the weight has exceeded the allowed limits;
- forget cigarettes, coffee, alcohol;
- eliminate harmful foods from the diet, especially those that raise cholesterol and affect weight.
Folk remedies will come to the rescue, as well as a variety of drug-free alternative medicine methods. The main thing is not to overdo it with treatment and consult a doctor about how to manage hypertension as effectively as possible.
When a hypertensive disease has crossed the first stage, you need to tune in to lifelong treatment and not have vain illusions. How to defeat hypertension chronically - no one knows this. Now, all a person can do in this situation is learn to keep the disease under control.
When fighting hypertension, we must remember that self-medication without taking prescription drugs can only cause harm. You need to take pills constantly, even when your health seems to be in perfect condition. Treating hypertension with additional methods can prevent possible complications, reduce the side effect of medications, and reduce their dosage. But one can think about the abolition of drug therapy only in the early stages of the disease, only after the permission of the attending physician.