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:
· Smoking
· Your family history
· Drinking a lot of alcohol headache
· Lack of exercise
· Diet
· Obesity (being very overweight).
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
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.
Hypotension
Hypotension is abnormally low blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is a reading of less than 120/80 mmHg (mmHg = millimeters of mercury, a unit for measuring pressure). Hypotension is blood pressure that is lower than 90/60 mmHg.
Causes-
Orthostatic hypotension has many causes. Sometimes, two or more causes combined will result in hypotension.
Dehydration is the most common cause of orthostatic hypotension. Dehydration occurs when the body loses more water than it takes in. People can become dehydrated because of:
· Not drinking enough fluids
· Fever
· Vomiting
· Severe diarrhea
· Excessive sweating from strenuous exercise
Some medicines used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease can make it more likely that a person will develop orthostatic hypotension. These medicines include:
· Diuretics
· Calcium channel blockers
· Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
· Angiotensin II receptor blockers
· Nitrates
· Beta blockers
Also, medicines used to treat certain other medical conditions, such as anxiety, depression, erectile dysfunction, and Parkinson disease, can make it more likely that a person will develop orthostatic hypotension.
Other substances that can contribute to orthostatic hypotension include alcohol, barbiturates, and some prescription and over-the-counter medicines, when taken in combination with high blood pressure medicines.
Types of hypotension
Orthostatic Hypotension
Orthostatic hypotension is low blood pressure that occurs upon standing up from a sitting or lying down position. It can cause a person to feel dizzy, lightheaded or even to faint. It occurs when the body is not able to adjust blood pressure and blood flow fast enough for the change in position. Usually orthostatic hypotension lasts for only a few seconds or minutes after a person stands up. Sometimes a person will need to sit or lie down for a short time while the blood pressure returns to normal.
Orthostatic hypotension can occur in all age groups, but it is more common in older adults, especially those who are frail or in poor health. Orthostatic hypotension can be a symptom of other medical conditions, and treatment generally focuses on treating the underlying condition(s). Some people can have orthostatic hypotension but also have high when lying down.
A form of orthostatic hypotension called postprandial hypotension is a sudden drop in blood pressure after a meal. Postprandial hypotension most commonly affects older adults. It also is more likely to affect those with high blood pressure or diseases such as Parkinson disease.
Neutrally Mediated Hypotension
In this form of hypotension, blood pressure drops after a person has been standing for a long time. A person may feel dizzy, faint, or sick to the stomach as a result. NMH also can happen when a person faces an unpleasant, upsetting, or frightening situation.
NMH affects children and young adults more often than other age groups. Children often outgrow this form of hypotension.
Symptoms-
The symptoms of orthostatic hypotension happen within a few seconds or minutes of a person standing up after sitting or lying down. They go away if the person sits or lies down again. The signs and symptoms include:
· Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
· Blurry vision
· Confusion
· Feeling faint or weak
· Fainting
The symptoms of neurally mediated hypotension (NMH) happen after a person has been standing for a long time or in response to an unpleasant, upsetting, or frightening situation. Like orthostatic hypotension, the drop in blood pressure with NMH is temporary and usually goes away after the person sits down. The signs and symptoms of NMH are similar to those of orthostatic hypotension.
Remedies-
The most commonly indicated homeopathic medicines in low blood pressure are:
1. Carbo-vegetalis [Carbo-veg]
Used for exhaustion, weakness, recovery or shock from operation or illness, lack of oxygen in tissues due to poor circulation, and digestive problems. Also used for frequent bleeding with dark blood, gas, indigestion, and hemorrhoids. Symptoms are usually worse in the evening, and are commonly exhibited in people with a stagnant lifestyle and apathethic behavior,
2. Phosphorus [Phos]
People who may require this remedy may exhibit a fear of death and restlessness. Symptoms are often worse in thunderstorms and with warm food or drink,
3.Sarothamnus Scoparius ( Spartium Scoparium – Cystisus Scoparius)
The effect of spartein sulphate (the alkaloid of Broom) is to cause a lowering of the systolic and diastolic pressures of the provers. Sphygmograms also show a condition of lowered blood-pressure. It depresses the heart by poisonous action exerted on the myocardium and this, with the stimulating action of the drug upon the vagus, accounts for the lowered blood pressure and reduced pulse rate. It weakens the cardiac contraction. The total amount of urine is increased. The drug has, therefore, diuretic properties and is useful in dropsy.
4. Baryta-muriaticum [Baryta mur]
Baryta mur is called for in organic lesions of the aged and dwarfish, both mentally and physically. Arterio-sclerosis and cerebral affections due to this condition. Hypertension and vascular degeneration. Increased tension of pulse. Arterio-sclerosis where a high systolic pressure with a comparatively low diastolic tension is attended by cerebral and cardiac symptoms.
5. Naja Tripudians [Naja]
Naja is mainly indicated for Pulse irregular in force. Threatened paralysis of heart, body cold, pulse slow, weak, irregular, tremulous. Acute and chronic endocarditis. Palpitation. Stitching pain in region of heart. Damaged heart after infections diseases. Marked symptoms of low tension.
6. Gelsemium Sempervirens [Gels]
Gels has a feeling as if it were necessary to keep in motion, or else heart’s action would cease. Slow pulse (Dig; Kalm; Apoc; Can). Palpitation; pulse soft, weak, full and flowing. Pulse slow when quiet, but greatly accelerated on motion. Weak, slow pulse of old age. Dizziness, drowsiness, dullness, and trembling. Slow pulse, tired feeling, mental apathy. Typical symptoms of low blood pressure are there.
7. Lycopus Virginicus [Lyco virg]
Lower the blood pressure, reduces the rate of the heart and increases the length of systole to a great degree. Passive hemorrhages.
8. China officinalis [China]
China has irregular with weak rapid beats followed by strong, hard beats. Suffocative attacks, syncope; anemia and dropsy. Debility from exhausting discharges, from loss of vital fluids, together with a nervous erethism, calls for this remedy. Periodicity is most marked.
9. Adrenalinum [Adre]
The main action of Adrenaline is stimulation of the sympathetic endings, notably the splanchnic area, causing constriction of the peripheral arterioles, with resulting rise in blood pressure. This is especially observed in stomach, intestines; less in uterus, skin; nil in brain and lungs. Furthermore, is noticed, slowing of pulse, (medullary vagus stimulation), and strengthening of heart beat (increased myocardial contractility).
10. Ferrum metallicum [Fer met]
Palpitation; worse, movement. Sense of oppression. Anæmic murmur. Pulse full, but soft and yielding; also, small and weak. Heart suddenly bleeds into the blood vessels, and as suddenly draws a reflux, leaving pallor of surface.