High Blood Pressure Causes

According to the American Heart Association's website one in three adults has high blood pressure but only 78.7 percent of them were aware of their condition.

The website went on to point out that even though many times the cause of hypertension isn't known, it is easily detected and usually controllable. Note that they said easily detectable, that is if you go to a doctor or health clinic and have your blood pressure checked.

You could be one of the 73.6 million people in the United States age 20 and older that have high blood pressure. One of the most alarming and dangerous things about hypertension, is that initially there are often few or no symptoms. In fact, it can be difficult, if not impossible to know that you have it unless you make regular routine visits to your doctor. If you can't make it to your doctor go to the health clinic in your neighborhood.

These visits are extremely important, because hypertension can lead to all types of very serious and life threatening complications. It can worsen diabetes sometimes, but even more commonly, can put you at risk of heart disease or stroke. Although I have heard conflicting reports, I believe that my father was in denial about his high blood pressure for years before it finally caught up to him, causing him a severe stroke. His stoke nearly crippled him and caused him to live in pain for the last ten years of his life. This is why you need to get your medical checkup. Because, even though it is dangerous, the common causes of hypertension are easily treated.

One of the most common causes is excessive salt consumption. Some people have high sensitivity to sodium (salt), and their blood pressure goes up when they use salt. When these people reduce their sodium intake it goes down. According to many experts, taking in too much salt is common among Americans. It is estimated that we consume 10 to 15 times more salt than we need.

Diets of fast and processed foods contain particularly high amounts of sodium. To reduce your sodium intake levels read labels carefully to find out how much sodium is contained in food items and then avoid those with high sodium levels. Although this is only one of the high blood pressure causes for certain salt sensitive people, it can't hurt to decrease your salt consumption, and may help prevent your risk of heart attack.

Even more common among causes of hypertension is obesity. Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m2. It is very closely related to high blood pressure. Obesity causes hypertension because it puts a strain on your circulatory system. This means that your heart has to work harder to pump blood, resulting in higher pressure in your veins and arteries.

Medical professionals strongly recommend that all obese people with high blood pressure lose weight until they are within 15% of their healthy body weight. This leads to the next cause, the lack of exercise. When you don't do cardiovascular exercise your heart atrophies. This means that it needs to pump harder to circulate your blood. Using exercise to lose weight, you can treat both of these causes at once.

Be careful what drugs you put in your body. Certain drugs, such as amphetamines (stimulants), diet pills, and some pills used for cold and allergy symptoms, tend to raise blood pressure. Also, people that drink too much alcohol have a tendency to develop hypertension. For those that are sensitive to alcohol, drinking more than one to two drinks of alcohol per day tends to raise their blood pressure.

Some causes are not so easily treatable. For example, it appears that there is a genetic component, that make some people simply more prone. Along with this, there is a process called arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, which can occur with age.

Diabetes, which can be treated through diet and exercise, but not necessarily completely eliminated, is another one of the causes which can't completely be improved through conscientious treatment.

So the facts remain that you can reduce your chance of high blood pressure by getting your checkup, exercising, and eating right. Start today. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones.

Hypertension - Causes and Symptoms

With a rapid change in lifestyles, work pressures, a fast paced life or even personal habits, hypertension has come across as a medical issue of significant magnitude and serious concern.

The condition is vastly prevalent in both, developing and developed countries. In United States, 67 million people are afflicted by hypertension, which is nearly one in every three adults, and only half of these people (47%) have the condition under control. Some other medical disorders which are equally risky are also attributed to the condition. Around 7 in 10 people who have their first heart attack are afflicted by hypertension. And the same stands true for stroke as well. Around 8 in 10 people who suffer from their first stroke have high blood pressure. Moreover, hypertension is very often linked with kidney ailments, and if one is suffering from a kidney disease, his chances of contracting hypertension are higher.

What is hypertension?

When our heart beats, it pumps blood through the entire body by means of arteries, and blood pressure is defined as the force of blood on the vessel walls. Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure.

When one's blood pressure is higher, the heart is required to pump harder, and the condition is called hypertension. This is a condition that has many effects on our body. It could cause damage to organs and many illnesses as well, such as kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke or aneurysm, which is swelling of arteries or cardiac chambers.

Normal levels of blood pressure should be below 120/80, wherein 120 is the peak blood pressure in arteries and 80 is the minimum blood pressure in arteries. When blood pressure reaches the limit of 140/90, the condition is known as hypertension.

If one suffers from high blood pressure due to unknown causes, it is known as essential blood pressure. But hypertension may be caused due to secondary causes, such as kidney disorders or tumors, and the same is known as secondary hypertension.

The condition is more prevalent in adults and seniors, but even those younger, teens and children could be at risk. About two million teens and children in United States are afflicted by hypertension.

What causes hypertension?

There are some factors which are known to enhance the risk of occurrence of hypertension. These include smoking, being obese or overweight, not getting regular exercise in everyday life, or even high levels of salt intake.

Similarly, insufficient consumption of calcium, magnesium or potassium from our diets, a deficiency of Vitamin D or higher alcohol consumption increase the chances of prevalence of hypertension. Stress makes one more vulnerable to hypertension, and even genetics, or a prior family history of hypertension makes one more likely to contract the condition. Kidney ailments, some thyroid problems or tumors also make one more vulnerable to hypertension.

How can one find out if he has hypertension?

Some symptoms of hypertension include severe headaches, chest pain, dizziness, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, nausea, problems with breathing, or blood in the urine. However, it very often happens that a person suffering from hypertension does not have any of these symptoms. This is common, and one in three people who are afflicted by hypertension do exhibit any of the symptoms of hypertension. So one must try and make sure that he goes for periodic blood screening tests, even if no symptoms of high blood pressure are prevalent.

Lower Blood Pressure Naturally - How Nitric Oxide (NO) Lowers Blood Pressure

High blood pressure (sometimes called hypertension) is also known as the silent killer because there aren't any real symptoms. Nearly one of every three American adults (65 million people) suffer from this condition and in 2002 it was implicated in almost 50,000 deaths. Hypertension is the 13th largest cause of death in the United States (American Heart Association 2005). Furthermore, studies have estimated that a 55-year-old person whose pressure is normal has a 90-percent lifetime risk of getting high blood pressure. High BP has resulted in damage to blood vessels in the eyes, heart, brain, and kidneys.

As bleak as this may seem, the good news is that high blood pressure can be controlled by prescription drugs or by natural methods.

Many people prefer lowering blood pressure naturally because you avoid the unpleasant side effects that can accompany prescription drugs.

Two of the best natural ways of lowering blood pressure naturally are exercise and diet. You don't have to join a gym to get the exercise you need. Simply committing to walk for 20 to 30 minutes at least 3 times a week can have a positive effect on blood pressure. In addition, there are other benefits for the joints, bones and muscles.

A few modifications to your diet can also do wonders for your blood pressure. Start with reducing the amount of salt. If this is hard for you to do then reduce the amount gradually until you have eliminated it completely. Be aware that processed foods are often high in salt (sodium) so read the label.

Recently another method of lowering BP naturally has emerged. This is called nitric oxide therapy and is the result of the research by Nobel® Laureate Dr. Louis Ignarro. Dr. Ignarro and his team of researchers knew that nitrogen in the form of nitro-glycerin had been used for years to help relieve angina or heart distress but they didn't know how it worked. They discovered that the nitric oxide molecule has a profound effect in dilating arteries and blood vessels which could reduce blood pressure and support cardiovascular health.

The next step was to determine how to create nitric oxide in the body. They found that the amino acid, arginine or L-arginine, causes nitric oxide to be produced in the arteries and blood vessels. They also learned that exercise will have the same effect.

In addition, they discovered that nitric oxide has other beneficial effects, which impact the immune system and the nervous system. The popular prescription drug Viagra was developed as a direct result of Dr. Ignarro's nitric oxide research.

The question then was what foods provide a source of arginine. There were many on the list including nuts, red meat, and certain vegetables. Although these were a natural source, there wasn't enough arginine to make a major difference. Dr. Ignarro realized that he would have to create a supplement, which would provide enough arginine in significant quantity. The result is a proprietary product called Niteworks(TM). Those who are able to use Niteworks(TM) have found that they not only are able to control their hypertension but have realized other benefits including a more restful sleep and greater stamina. More information is available at Lower Your Blood Pressure Naturally

® The Nobel Prize is a registered trademark of the Nobel Foundation

Hypertension Medication Side Effects - Do You Know What Your Drug Can Do to You?

Hypertension medications have made improvements over the past years and that's good news for people who have been prescribed those antihypertensive drugs. Some drugs have improved potency which means lower doses are required. Others work in ways that did not exist several years ago and also allow for lower dosages or more effective combinations of drugs.

So if there have been so many improvements, why do you feel so lousy?

These drugs still come with side effects. Understand that hypertension treatment is a numbers game. Your doctor will start with a low dosage on one or two medicines and will continue to adjust both type of drugs and dosages until a combination is found that controls your condition. At least it controls it for now. If you condition changes, or you develop intolerance to the drug, the mix and match process begins again.

Here's a sample of what you can expect in the way of side effects for a few of the classes of drugs:

Diuretics are the oldest and least expensive form of treatment for high blood pressure. Diuretics flush sodium and excess fluids from the body reducing blood volume. The less blood in the system, the less pressure required to pump it. Thiazide diuretics can also prevent sodium from being reabsorbed in the body. Side effects include:

• Thirst, potassium depletion, frequent urination, weakness, impotence, muscle cramps, lightheadedness, constipation and confusion.

Anti-adrenergics work by limiting the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine which have a stiffening effect on the blood vessels. Without this effect both the vessels and heart are more relaxed and less pressure is required to pump blood. Side effects:

• Depression, fatigue, wheezing, insomnia, impotence and a decrease in good cholesterol HDL can occur as a result of taking this class of drug. The very scary part is do not miss taking your pill as prescribed. Sudden withdrawal can trigger an angina or heart attack.

ACE Inhibitors. This class is one of the most effective in controlling blood pressure. This drug works by deactivating angiotensin-converting enzyme which prevents the kidney from absorbing sodium and retaining water. Left unchecked, these enzymes can stiffen blood vessels and increase pressure. Side effects include:

• Cough, rash, fluid retention and loss of taste. May also cause fetal abnormalities.

So that's the popular line up of hypertension medications and their side effects. Is there an alternative to these?

The answer is yes, if you want to make some changes in the way you live your life.

The American Heart Association endorses changes in diet, exercise and stress management as the best way to control hypertension. If you are fed up with the side effects, the expense, or simply the fact that you will be reliant on daily medication for the rest of your life, then you need to learn about the alternatives.

Natural approaches can not only control your high blood pressure, it can cure it and reverse much of the damage that has already been done. Take responsibility for your health and learn how to live without the drugs.

Blood in Stool - 7 Reasons Found in the Colon

Blood in stool is often discovered with some perplexity, accompanied appropriately by exclamations of 'bloody' (not expletive). Dots of blood, scarlet red, stand out unmistakably on excrement. Maroon red blotches of blood besmirches the toilet tissue. Bright red spots of blood dribble into the toilet bowl or down the legs. Quite naturally, a sudden bout of fear causes our hearts to jump a beat or two.

No undue alarm is warranted yet as the hemorrhaging (technical word for bleeding) could be any one of 7 possible causes arising from the colon. Mindful attention to ensure early diagnosis and correct treatment will reduce any unsettling lifestyle changes as the best part of the 7 causes are treatable. Do not be unconcerned. Commence close monitoring. Without delay, consult your doctor if bleeding and pain lingers for more than a week.

Appropriate treatment following proper diagnosis can often quickly resolve the problem. More critically, blood in stool may be the consequence of some type of cancer.

Melena or Hematochezia

Hematochezia (maroon or bright red colored blood) or melena (black sticky or tarry stools) are two medical categorizations for the less technical term rectal bleeding. Whilst recognised as rectal bleeding as the exit is the rectum, the origins of the blood may be any of 7 causes in the colon (large intestine). Cancer, colon polyps, diverticulosis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, intestinal ischemia and peptic ulcer are the 7 known causes in the colon.

Colorectal Cancer

This is the third most frequent form of cancer on earth and the third most frequent reason for of cancer-related death with a fatality toll of around 640,000 annually. It is the reason why one should see a medical specialist for continual blood in stool.

Tumours in the colon, appendix and rectum are classified as colorectal cancer. Colonoscopy (visual inspection by micro-camera inserted via the anus) is the chief means of ascertaining colorectal cancer. Treatment focuses on surgical excision and chemotherapy. Timely discovery often leads to a total cure. Those over 50 and those with family history of cancers are classified under the higher risk group. Colorectal cancer is gender blind, affecting both women and men, with no conspicuous bias for either sex.

This next point bears taking note. Quite in contrast to what is reported elsewhere, colorectal cancer commonly produces occult (not visible to the naked eye) blood in feces i.e it is NOT a regular reason for visible blood in stool! According to the University of Michigan Health System, colorectal cancer does cause bleeding but special tests are requisite to confirm the presence of occult blood. Crucial accompanying symptoms to watch out for are diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, weight loss, appetite loss and incessant fatigue.

Colon Polyp

Affixing on the walls of the intestines or the rectum, polyps are frequently benign and may be raised or flat. Those above 50 years of age and with a family history of polyps and colorectal cancer are prone to polyps. Contributory factors include lack of exercise, obesity, alcohol and smoking. It would seem that no one knows the real cause.

Whilst benign, polyps are usually excised during colonoscopy as they can become malignant. Polyps do not usually cause noticeable symptoms. But in others, blood in stool is present.

Diverticulosis

Pouches (diverticula) stretching from the colon wall is distinctive of diverticulosis. Diverticula growth is postulated to be a result of abnormal colon pressure, the causes of which are not entirely distinct. Contributory factors include deprivation of dietary fiber. If food gets embedded in diverticula, infection may set in leading to diverticulitis. Complications from diverticulitis can ensue if an infected diverticulum ruptures and disseminates bacteria to the abdominal cavity lining. The possibly deadly peritonitis can materialise.

Diverticulosis do not cause distinct symptoms in most people. Mild cramps, constipation and bloating are some noted symptoms. Yet others suffer more acutely, including nausea, vomiting and rectal bleeding as the most common symptoms. The peril of peritonitis emphasizes the need that blood in stool should first be examined by a doctor. A CT (computed tomography) scan is 98% efficacious in diagnosing diverticulitis.

Ulcerative Colitis

IBD or inflammatory bowel disease, under which colitis is classified, affects the large intestine (colon) and the small intestine. Inflammation by itself is a healthy bodily response to heal damaged tissue. Like a tap that must be turned off, inflammation sets off curing of injured tissue but must terminate thereafter or greater tissue harm may ensue. Ulcerative colitis is caused by ulcers which are erosion of the mucous membrane lining.

Apart from other symptoms, blood in stool is frequent. The risk of peritonitis from colitis is the key reason for diagnosing it as the cause of rectal bleeding.

Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is an auto-immune disease whereby the body's immune system provokes harmful inflammation by assailing the gastrointestinal tract. It can develop in any part of of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus. But it usually affects the small and large intestine (colon).

Smoking, genetic makeup and industrial environmental exposure are believed to be contributory causal factors even though definitive causes are unknown. The symptoms are blood in stool, abdominal cramps, severe bloody diarrhea, blood on toilet tissue or in the toilet bowl, fever and weight loss.

Often termed as granulomatous colitis, Crohn's disease can go into abeyance and happen again periodically throughout life. Currently, there is no known surgical or pharmaceutical solution for Crohn's disease. Early detection is important for efficacious control of the symptoms and checking recurrences.

Intestinal Ischemia

Ischemia is a suppression in blood supply to any part of the body. Dysfunctional arteries result in tissue damage due to the deprivation of blood nutrients and oxygen. Intestinal ischemia is the depletion blood supply causing inflammation of the large intestine; a result of blood clots, blood vessel constriction and general high blood pressure.

Symptoms include blood in stool, urgent and violent bowel movements, weight loss, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps, abdominal bloating and fever. Urgent medical attention is needed to rejuvenate intestinal blood supply if there is serious consistent pain. It may be crucial to surgically circumvent blocked blood vessels and remove blood clots and damaged tissue. To arrest clots and infections, respective medication includes anticoagulants and antibiotics.

Peptic Ulcer

An exceedingly painful ulcer, this is located in the gastrointestinal tract. An erosion of the mucosal membrane that is at least 0.5cm in diameter is an ulcer. Commonly mistaken to occur in the stomach, peptic ulcers are actually prevalent in the duodenum (initial part of the small intestine). Peptic ulcers are largely presumed to be caused by a bacterium that inflicts chronic gastritis.

Symptoms include blood in stool (melena), abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, appetite and weight loss, vomiting of blood and at the extreme, perforation of the intestine. This can lead to possibly deadly peritonitis and requires emergency surgery. Antibiotics and antacids can be used to cure milder cases.

Hemorrhoids

The above 7 causes is the rationale why rectal bleeding demands the skills of a medical doctor who can render a precise diagnosis. Appropriate treatment and medication, possibly including surgery, can accelerate the path to recovery.

Lest you be too distressed by the above narrated causes, blood in stool is most usually due to the relatively innocuous internal or external hemorrhoids.

What is Resistant Hypertension?

Resistant hypertension is stubborn blood pressure that is controlled but requires four or more medications. Resistant hypertension is generally found in overweight and elderly people.

Overweight people tend to carry more fat and less muscle in their body. The increase in fat relates to the cholesterol theory of plaque build up in the arteries leading to narrowed blood vessels through out the body. This causes the heart to pump harder because of the resistance of the smaller space that blood must move through. This leads to high blood pressure.

In the elderly resistant hypertension occurs because the walls of the artery become harder losing its ability to widen. Again with a hardened artery the heart must pump stronger to create blood flow through out the body. This stress placed on the heart may lead to an enlarged heart.

Four different types of hypertension medication is given to lower blood pressure. Doctors want this pressure to be below 140 / 90. This range is pre-hypertension. Any blood pressure over 140 /90 is considered to be hypertension.

Blood pressure medication for resistant hypertension is given to do a few things. Beta-Blockers slow the heart rate, ACE inhibitors reduce hormone release to prevent narrowing of the arteries and diuretics help to remove excess fluid by reducing fluid retention. The problem with diuretics is that vital nutrients needed to help with normal breakdown of food and increased metabolism are flushed out of the body.

Let's face it, uncontrolled hypertension can cause some very serious health problems such as heart disease, kidney failure, stroke and eventually pre-mature death.

Traditional lifestyle changes such as salt reduction, weight loss and reduced alcohol consumption may help to control resistant hypertension. However a program that has specific guidelines for nutrition, exercise and breathing is more effective.

Resistant hypertension is definitely controllable if you are willing to take the necessary steps to lower your high blood pressure. Further more, over time as you progress with your lifestyle changes, the possibility of living with out hypertension medication may exist.

Naturally Lower Blood Pressure Without Medication - 7 Steps to Take

To naturally lower blood pressure is possible if some lifestyle changes are made. If a doctor has diagnosed you with high blood pressure, probably the first thing he/she will want to do is to put you on medication. But then the question arises, is this the best alternative? Is it possible to naturally correct hypertension?

For some people, yes, there may not be any other ways to lower their pressure. But for other is it possible to naturally lower their pressure if it is too high? For a lot of people, yes, you can lower hypertension naturally without drugs by taking some sensible steps as outlined below.

1. 
   Lose Weight - if you are overweight, lose the pounds. A study by the British Blood Pressure Association says that decreasing your weight by 22 pounds can lower pressure by 5 to 10 points.


2. 
   Get Moving - Exercise! Once you start an exercise routine, it becomes a habit.


3. 
   Eat Healthy - Cut out processed food and start eating whole grain products, fish poultry and nuts.


4. 
   Decrease Stress - Worrying has shown to significantly raise pressure


5. 
   Less Alcohol - This can lower your pressure 2-4 points. One to two drinks a day is ok, but any more can raise your blood pressure.


6. 
   Take your vitamins - Many vitamins have shown to have a positive effect on high .


7. 
   Other Nutrients that have shown to have an effect on blood pressure include, but are not limited to, potassium, magnesium, calcium and garlic.

To lower your pressure naturally, is going to take some some and effort. After all, getting to this point did not happen overnight.

What is an Average Blood Pressure?

You may be surprised to learn that blood pressure ranges can actually differ throughout the world. This is why your doctor will not only look for how closely you come to the average pressure range, but also take into consideration such factors as your age, race, health, gender, and more.

Blood pressure is defined as the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. Each time your heart beats, it pumps blood through the arteries. It is at its peak when the heart beats, forcing blood into the arteries. This is called systolic pressure and it's a significant measurement which reveals the compression capacity of cardiac tissues in a person's body coupled with the free flow of blood in their arterioles and arteries. When your heart is at rest, between beats, pressure falls. This is the diastolic pressure.

In general, a healthy person should have a systolic pressure reading no higher than 130 mm of Hg and a diastolic pressure reading of approximately 80 mm of Hg. The average pressure of an average person is generally considered to be 120/80.

What's a high blood pressure reading?

Well, much like other conditions, there are different stages of hypertension. Stage one occurs when your systolic reading ranges between 140 mm of mercury to 159 mm, combined with a diastolic reading ranging from 90 mm to 99 mm. The next step in the hierarchy of stages is a systolic pressure of 160 or higher, along with a diastolic blood pressure of 100 or higher. This is the point at which you're considered to be in stage two.

Similarly, you can experience low pressure, though it may be more difficult to define. This is because some people feel light-headed, sluggish and experience headaches when their pressure gets too low, but other people may experience no symptoms at all and may not even be aware of their condition.

You only require one number, either systolic or diastolic, to be low to be considered in the low range. This is true even if the other number is perfect. So what's generally considered the starting low mark? Most experts consider anything lower than 90 systolic or 60 diastolic to be a warning sign.

The real danger occurs when your blood pressure takes a sudden plunge or if you've been experiencing long-term low range readings that are resulting in noticeable symptoms.

All of these ranges need to be considered closely by a physician. A high reading, for instance, may be the result of temporary anxiety or excitement. This is why it's helpful to have a regular doctor who has a history of your readings. He'll be able to determine if you're falling within an average range or if there is reason for concern.

How to Lower Your Blood Pressure Naturally - Definitely Without Drugs

So many people suffer from hypertension these days. Unlike other diseases, hypertension often has no symptoms. The sufferer becomes unaware, and he usually does not take any precaution until one day he gets a heart attack or a stroke. Strokes and heart attacks are the first leading cause of death for many people all over the world. If hypertension's left untreated, it could also result in a congestive heart failure, kidney diseases, and even blindness. This deadly disease has been very familiar among doctors as 'the silent killer'.

Some people, including most doctors, believe that lowering hypertension naturally without drugs is impossible. They agree that maintaining an ideal weight by exercising and leading a healthy lifestyle is good for your health indeed, however, to lower your hypertension you will still need one or two kinds of drugs such as calcium channel blocker, diuretics, alpha-blocker, or beta-blocker. Unfortunately, they do not tell you that those drugs may have some negative side effects, and once you consume those drugs, you will depend on them for the rest of your life because once hypertension develops, it usually lasts a lifetime.

How to lower your hypertension naturally, effectively and quickly, is available now. Almost in every health problem, when you could discover the underlying causes and deal with them, you would be able to eliminate the main problem permanently. But most medications only deal with the symptoms and not the underlying causes. This could create more health problems than the main illness.

Because of this concern, especially after many medical reports are exposed regarding the negative side effects of hypertension drugs, many people are looking for a natural way to lower their blood pressure. Even some doctors agree that there has to be another way, a safer way, to deal with hypertension, and start advising their patients to adopt natural ways to lower their hypertension.

Need to Lower Your Blood Pressure Fast Before Your Next Employment Physical?

Do you need to lower your blood pressure fast? There are all kinds of reasons why people want to get to a normal blood pressure reading quickly. Often times it really doesn't have anything to do about their concern with health but rather about how a high blood pressure reading will affect some other part of their life. Like work.

Any number of jobs has a requirement for an annual physical that is a condition of employment. This runs the gamut of over the road truck drivers to airline pilots to police and firemen and almost anyone who is involved in physical exertion. If you know you have high blood pressure and you're scheduled for a physical by your employer, then you are obviously concerned.

What happens if you fail that exam? How long will they keep you on and what kind of work will they provide while you get your blood pressure under control? What does this mean financially?

Well if your exam is at least three weeks off and your pressure isn't greater than 20 points above normal then there is good news. You can get down to normal if you want. And you can do it without drugs.

It will be a challenge but once you have the knowledge and you act on it, you'll be able to achieve the results you want.

Let's start with what the principal objective is. Nobody really knows what causes high blood pressure but we know plenty about its effect on the body and the blood vessels in particular. The vessels are designed to expand when the heart pumps blood and then contract after the pulse passes. A person with high blood pressure has lost some or all of this elasticity so the vessels are stiff or contracted at all times. When the vessels are contracted they have a smaller diameter handling the same force from the heart. This is what high blood pressure is.

Our job is to loosen up those vessels to allow them to more efficiently handle the flow from the heart. The steps that follow are designed to do just that.

* Step 1. Hydrate. If you had gone to a doctor he may have prescribed a diuretic to flush out salt and excess fluids. That's fine but the diuretics come with side effects. You can accomplish much the same thing by drinking enough water. As a rule you should drink at least half your body weight expressed in ounces each day. So if you weigh 150 pounds you need 75 ounces of water. Don't skimp on this.

* Step 2. Exercise. This is the fastest way to temporarily reduce blood pressure. Do at least 30 minutes a day of mild aerobic exercise like walking, swimming laps or riding a bike. Not only will this lower your pressure, it works off stress which is another big concern. With a little luck you might also lose a pound or two in 3 weeks. Make absolutely sure you don't skip exercise on the day of the exam.

* Step 3. Diet. This is probably what got you your condition in the first place. Starting today, no more fast food joints for lunch. You don't have to go hungry; you just have to watch what you eat. Don't use any table salt; you get way more than you need from processed foods and eating out. Cut way back on red meat and fried food Substitute poultry, cold water fish or lean white meat for beef. Eat a handful of almonds or pistachios before each meal. This gives you some good cholesterol, fiber and also fills you up. Include fresh fruit and vegetables every day. And then there's the magic garlic clove. Try to include 1 clove a day. It not only reduces cholesterol, it works as a vasodilator and expands the blood vessels.

* Step 4. Watch what you drink. Cut back on caffeinated drinks like coffee, soda and iced tea. Limit your alcohol to a single drink a day. Hey it's only for 3 weeks right?

* Step 5. Lower stress. This will be a challenge because you're already stressing out over the physical but you have to get control. First of all, don't use any medication or sleeping pills. You'll just mess up your liver and set back the progress you've made in lowering your pressure. Find at least 15 minutes a day that you can call your own. Do some deep breathing exercises or listen to some relaxing music. Try to include things you really enjoy doing during these three weeks. The more enjoyment you can experience, the lower the stress.

That's a good start. It can be done and has been done by thousands. I know right now you're just concerned with the job but I'll guarantee that after 3 weeks you are going to experience a new freedom from hypertension. You're going to like what you did and you are going to feel so much better. So while this is all about the job, don't give up the effort once you've passed the exam. Your heart will thank you.

The Value Of Blood Pressure Monitoring And Making Use Of A Blood Pressure Chart

Alterations to our lifestyle and diet mean that an increasing number of people suffer from hypertension and it is crucial for us to get into the habit of monitoring our blood pressure on a regular basis. Happily this no longer means that we have to trek to the doctors surgery and the large and growing range of simple to use and relatively inexpensive monitors on offer nowadays permits us to monitor our blood pressure in comfort at home. But, though measuring our pressure may be easy enough, interpreting the resulting figures is quite another matter.

Blood pressure varies from one person to the next and also varies according to such things as what we eat and the time of day. Because of this we cannot say that normal blood pressure is a fixed set of numbers and that should you be more than so many points below or above these you should consult your doctor. What we can do however is to draw up a series of bands which correspond to varying degrees of low and high blood pressure in relation to a pair of baseline readings that are representative of the majority of people and that is exactly what a blood pressure chart does.

A traditional blood chart is a pictorial representation of a range of blood pressure readings both above and below the norm together with an indication of what each band tells you about your blood pressure.

For instance, if you take your blood pressure and come up with a high systolic figure of 134 and a lower diastolic figure of 87, this possibly will not mean a great deal to you, except that it may seem a bit high. But, if you draw a line on a blood pressure chart between the higher number on the left of the chart and the low diastolic number on the right of the chart you will discover that the line lies in a band that is a little above normal and that, while it is close to the borderline for hypertension, it is still within acceptable limits.

Likewise, if you came up with a reading of 146 over 94 this would be classed as a mild case of hypertension. Nevertheless, the chart would also show that this reading on its own should not be a cause for worry and may merely be the result of measuring your blood pressure first thing in the morning when your pressure is generally slightly raised or of recording it after eating something with a high fat content or which is salty.

Charts of this nature are very useful for providing you with a snapshot of your pressure at any given moment but possibly a better picture would be given by a daily blood pressure chart that is filled in over a reasonable period of time.

The majority of modern blood pressure monitors can store your readings and these can either be printed out and plotted by hand on graph paper or can be used in conjunction with one of several widely available software packages to plot a full-color picture of your blood pressure over the past few days.

Whichever method you pick there is little question that having a visual representation of your blood pressure readings over time will certainly make monitoring your health very much easier.

Natural Supplements to Lower Your Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs in one out of every three adults and 30 percent of these people don't know they have it. This is why it's called the "silent killer". It often comes with no symptoms, yet it can lead to heart attack or stroke; two of the top three killers of adults in America. It's advisable to test your blood pressure regularly and know what lifestyle is likely to keep you away from this insidious killer.

Blood pressure is expressed as a number or a ratio of your systolic over diastolic pressure. The systolic number measures the pressure during a heartbeat, while the diastolic represents the time when your vessels are filling back up.

Blood pressure is never consistent. Your blood pressure changes often during the day. It changes due to physical activity or lack thereof. It changes due to stress or emotional excitement. It changes due to food substances entering the blood stream. When one is diagnosed with blood pressure that is too high, it means that it is consistently too high.

But what is too high?

Normal blood pressure, numbers that doctors would not worry about, would be 115/75. This is the condition of young healthy arteries that have maintained their elasticity and remained unclogged, no matter what their age. Older arteries can maintain or re-gain these conditions through healthy diet and exercise. This will help avoid plaque buildup. Plaque buildup results in a smaller vessel to carry the same amount of blood. This makes the blood flow faster and faster, raising the blood pressure and eventually leading to organ damage.

If you've made all the diet changes that have been recommended and you've begun your fun exercise regimen but your blood pressure remains high, there are some natural supplements that may do the trick. The main ones are fish oil, CoQ10 and garlic. They are very effective at lowering mostly systolic pressure. If you need to lower both systolic and diastolic, there's a supplement combination that is very effective when used together:

Dandelion leaf extract has a strong combination of vitamins that have a diuretic effect. This lowers blood pressure by removing liquid and salt from the system through the urine, relaxing the blood vessels.

Lycopene is a great antioxidant and free-radical scavenger. It's used for lowering LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) and has a property that reduces the ability of platelets to stick to the sides of the vessel walls.

Stevia extract helps reduce any calcium buildup on the blood vessel walls, keeping them flexible, healthy and reducing blood pressure. In addition, it's been found as a good controller of blood sugar levels and shows great promise as a treatment for Type-2 diabetes. It's also a fairly good sweetener.

Olive leaf extract has many of the same properties of those above and adds to their effectiveness. It's an antioxidant, it relaxes the blood vessels and prevents buildup of plaque in them, all of which lower blood pressure.

Hawthorn extract is an ancient herb used to promote a healthy heart for centuries. It improves blood vessel elasticity and has special improvements for arteries around the heart. In those it improves blood flow and the heart muscle's contractions. It is also used for anxiety issues, blood sugar control and as an antioxidant.

All these items can be found at your local health food store or, if you live in an area without one of those nearby, the Internet makes every neighborhood your own! After taking them, you may notice a few more trips to the bathroom due to the diuretic effects of the dandelion extract, however, there should be no other adverse side effects.

You can monitor your blood pressure improvement with a home monitor. You can buy a satisfactory one in the $30 to $50 range in the United States. There are also drug stores that have good monitors available for free use for their customers. Since blood pressure numbers are such important numbers for everyone to know, many clinics offer free or very reasonably-priced blood pressure checks either periodically or every day.

Take advantage of these resources and be the first point of responsibility for your own health. Keeping track of your blood pressure is a critical part of this plan!

Can Quartz Crystal Silica Lower and Regulate High Blood Pressure?

When most people hear the word silica, some of the common images that come to are sand or even Silicon Valley. Some people even think of glass or computer chips or even breast enhancements. The truth is silica is present in all these elements and much more. It is present in abundance in sand, in rocks and in a variety of gemstones. Moreover, according to the recent reports, Silica is present in our bodies as well!

Till recently, no one could imagine that silica was not just a building block of the planet but also our bodies. No one could imagine that this element is an important ingredient to maintain good health for the young and the old alike. However, now things have changed and the verdict is out!

Silica is as important to the body as calcium and magnesium. It helps in the proper functioning of the bones and all the elements of the human skeletal system. In fact, most doctors feel that silica plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Silica helps in enhancing the strength of the bones while calcium helps in making them denser.

Most people think Silica and Silicon is the same thing. They do belong to the same category but they are different. The naturally occurring element is known as Silicon. However, when exposed to the atmosphere, silicon combines with oxygen to form silica or silicates. Organic silica is when silica combines with hydrogen and carbon. This organic silica is safe for consumption while naturally occurring silica is not.

Foods like strawberries, avocados, green vegetables, and rice and wheat hulls contain silica. Horsetail is also a rich source of silica. Most of the silica in these foods gets lost while processing them. Silica is also found in beer and bones in meats. These days a lot of health supplements also contain silica.

Silica is required for good bone growth. It is also needed to maintain healthy hair and nails. Deficiency of silica can retard growth and even cause brittle nails and hair fall.

Another big benefit of silica is it can help many people in the world that have high blood pressure. Research has shown that it can help regulate high blood pressure in people who are at risk. It helps promote and maintain proper levels throughout the circulatory system by lowering the pressure. In doing so, it will help bring any abnormal circulation back to normal.

Some people are of the opinion that supplements containing silica may cause some or other types of side effects. However, no side effects or toxic effects have been reported till now. The only way silica can harm humans is by prolonged inhalation of silicon dust while working in some kind of an industry. This may lead to a respiratory disease known as silicosis.

How to Lower Blood Pressure Quickly - 3 Steps to Lower Your Blood Pressure Quickly

Hypertension develops over many years of being deficient in a healthy diet and lifestyle habits. The good news amidst such gloom is that there are ways how to lower blood pressure quickly.

A note of caution: You must not expect the following methods to lower blood pressure fast to have a permanent effect on your condition. The effects are temporary at best. If you want to make their impact permanent, more or less, you must adopt these methods on a regular, proper and consistent basis.

Your first answer to the question of how to reduce blood pressure quickly is to engage in vigorous aerobic exercise. Any cardiovascular exercise like brisk walking, jogging or bicycling can quickly lower blood pressure by a few points. You will then be able to regain your sense of equilibrium.

Exercise as a way to lower hypertension fast can be incorporated on a regular basis into your lifestyle. Don't even think about giving the excuse that time is scarce in your busy professional career and social life. Short bursts of exercise when done daily can have a positive impact on hypertension even when it means simple things like taking the stairs or walking the remaining blocks to the office.

And while you are at this first of top three ways how to lower blood pressure quickly, you might as well sneak in a few relaxation techniques. Take deep breaths, think positive thoughts and even visualize your hypertension going down.

But when exercise is out of the equation at the moment, you can stash a few foods proven to lower hypertension fast in your bag. We are talking about dark chocolate, garlic and bananas, among others.

Dark chocolate contains flavonoids that dilate blood vessels but make sure to eat just a small portion - about 30 calories per day will do. Garlic has long been known to lower blood pressure levels while bananas are rich in potassium, which helps in maintaining healthy blood vessels.

The last effective way how to lower blood pressure quickly is to drink water. Yes, proper hydration is important as its opposite - dehydration - causes hypertension to rise like a rocket.

You must drink at least 8 glasses of water per day, more during hot days or during exercise. And do eliminate those caffeine-laden drinks as these can dehydrate the body.

Lower Blood Pressure Fast, Naturally and Quickly

Recently I visited my doctor and as he looked as me and said your blood pressure is on rise and you have to control it. I mentioned to him the ways to  lower it naturally rather than by medicines. He gave some tips and I did a lot of research online to lower blood pressure quickly and fast naturally without using drugs. This article is a summary of what is learned in the process.

What is high blood pressure ?

It is  is a medical condition in which the  pressure of blood against arteries is chronically elevated. 

What is considered as  high ?  -  In individuals older than 50 years  BP  of least 140 mmHg systolic or 90 mmHg diastolic. Patients with BP over 130/80 mmHg along with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, or kidney disease need additional treatment. The HBP ranges in children are different.

High Blood Pressure Readings

Pressure             Systolic Pressure    Diastolic pressure
Normal                         90-119         60-79
Pre Hypertension              120-139         80-89
Hypertension Stage 1          140-159         90-99
Hypertension Stage            2 >=160         >=100

Lower blood Pressure naturally and quickly

Follow a healthy eating plan to lower it naturally and quickly. This includes limiting the amount of sodium (salt) and alcohol that you consume, and it can lower it  fast. The above factor is the main factor to quickly  bring BP down naturally.

Other factors that you can control to lower BP  naturally are:

- Maintain a healthy weight for your Lose weight if you're overweight or obese.

- Do enough physical activity.

- Quit smoking.

- Manage your stress and learn to cope with stress

- If you are prescribed medication, take it as directed.

Foods that lower blood Pressure 

Foods that are part of DASH diet  can lower the BP. DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH). DASH eating plan has more daily servings of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods and lower sugar and fatty foods than you may be used to eating. Because the plan is high in fiber, it can cause bloating and diarrhea in some persons. To avoid these problems, gradually increase your intake of fruit, vegetables, and whole grain foods.

Lower blood pressure diet

DASH diet, which  includes whole grain products, fish, poultry, and nuts. It is reduced in lean red meat, sweets, added sugars, and sugar-containing beverages compared to the typical American diet. It is rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium, as well as protein and fiber.

Lower Blood Pressure Herbs

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna [Latin]), also called haw, mayblossom, and mayflower has been used for thousands of years in Asian, European, and Native American cultures to treat heart disease. Hawthorn contains several proanthocyanidins and flavonoids, which increase the heart's ability to pump blood and oxygen to all parts of the body by dilating coronary blood vessels and strengthening the heart muscle.

As you can see if you are diagnosed with HBP  you can lower it  naturally and quickly with diet and lifestyle changes but since this is not a doctor advice you can  get a complete plan with steps and details to normalize your high Blood Pressure. It is an e-book with you can download in minute and start following it up.

How Green Tea Can Help You Lower High Blood Pressure

If you're looking for a natural way to lower your blood pressure then this article will explain the benefits of simply drinking tea.

There are three types of tea: green, oolong and black. All of these come from the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant. The tea leaves are steamed, which prevents the epigallocatechin gallate compound (I don't want to type that again so I'll call it EGCG) from being oxidized, while black and oolong tea leaves are made from dried or fermented leaves, which causes a loss of EGCG.

Green tea has a lot more of what is called polyphenols, especially EGCG, than black tea or oolong tea. What are polyphenols? They are powerful antioxidants, which remove free radicals from the body. Free radicals in the body's cells are bad news. They are very unstable and tend to react negatively with important molecules like DNA, causing damage to the cells. They produce destruction that may lead to problems like heart disease and cancer. The antioxidants in tea are also known to help blood vessels relax, so that blood can flow through them more easily. As a result, it can help lower blood pressure and reduce the stress on the heart.

Be careful when you buy your tea. If you buy it in a supermarket - even in a very large one - the chances are that you'll only find the lowest quality. Instead, you should try to buy your tea from Chinese markets or food stores, or order it over the internet, as then you'll be able to choose from the full range of green teas.

So what different green teas are there? Well, the most common in Western countries is low-grade Gunpowder - that's the stuff you'll usually find in the supermarket. It is used because it is cheap, and stays fresher for longer than other green teas.

The most popular green tea in China is Dragon Well, or Lung Ching. It's bright green and quite expensive. Many consider it to be the best.

In Japan, tea drinkers prefer Sencha, which is a sweeter. It's cheaper than Dragon Well, more the kind of tea you could drink every day. Sencha is also more easily available in the West than Chinese green teas tend to be, and there is a slightly cheaper version called Bancha.

The sweetest kind of green tea is Macha, the tea used in the Japanese tea ceremonies. It's very expensive and very pleasant.

Another of the green tea benefits worth considering is that it's been linked to aiding weight loss, which is an important factor when trying to lower high blood pressure.

So how much green tea should you drink a day? Try to drink three to five cups per day (more if your bladder can stand it!). Don't add sugar, if you want some sweetness try a little honey. You shouldn't really add milk, but if you must, try a little skimmed or semi-skimmed.

Oh, and by the way, if you smoke cigarettes, a study by the University of Kansas decided that EGCG may explain why the rate of heart disease among Japanese men is quite low, even though approximately seventy-five percent are smokers.

How to Read Blood Pressure Charts the Easy Way

So you got your blood pressure readings, do you know what all the numbers means? I do not know about you but since those numbers are directly related to my health, I will want to know exactly what they mean. The doctor telling me that my readings are fine or not fine, is just not enough.

Luckily blood pressure charts are readily available and they are mostly similar and very easy to read.

First lets get these two big words taken care of, systolic and diastolic. Your heart generates pressure when it contracts, it is called systolic pressure (systolic came from a Greek word meaning 'contraction'). And when your heart relaxes it still generates pressure and it is called diastolic pressure (diastolic is from a Greek word meaning 'drawing apart'. Now we know that our heart generates two types of pressure and with its fancy names, lets just get to the more serious stuff.

Your pressure readings should always have two numbers. The higher number is always the systolic (because that is when your heart is contracting which means more pressure) and the lower number is the diastolic (because that is when the heart relaxes which means less pressure).

The perfect pair of numbers will be 120/80. Just etched these two numbers in your mind, because this is going to be your base. This number also shows in the blood pressure chart as normal or optimal pressure. The numbers above the optimal pressure reading (120/80) are divided into four stages. To go up a stage, just add 20 to your systolic and 10 to your diastolic.

For example, stage 1 starts at 140/90. Stage 2 starts at 160/100, stage 3 starts at 180/110 and stage 4 starts at 200/120.

If your readings are between Stage 1 and Stage 2, you have a hypertension and this is consider a Mild Stage. If your readings are between Stage 2 and 3, this is consider a Moderate Stage and requires professional treatment right away to avoid possible health risks. If however your reading is above 180/110, this is considered as severe stage which can cause heart attack, kidney disease, stroke, or even death.

Remember that your daily blood pressure varies widely. It is not wise to rely on just one reading. You should spread out taking your readings through out the whole day so you can determine the average blood pressure levels over time.

Five Summer Tips For Healthy Digestion, Water Retention, High Blood Pressure and Weight Loss

Summer is a beautiful time of the year. It can be also the healthiest time of the year for you if you learn how to take advantage of Summer time in terms of weather, long days and abundance of fruits and vegetables. It is the right time to lose some weight, detox, get rid of high blood pressure and urinary problems, support your heart.

Here are some helpful tips for you:

1. Try to drink two-three extra glasses of water - it is very easy to do when it is hot outside. It will become a habit and you will continue drinking more water in the fall and winter. Dehydration can cause headaches and migraines, constipation which will lead to high blood pressure and heart disease, hormonal imbalances, PMS symptoms, etc.

2. Start easy exercise program. By easy I mean think about some activities you would enjoy, like maybe walking, bike riding, tennis, swimming or even dancing. Summer days are long enough, so no excuses for not having time to exercise every day. Eventually it will become your daily routine easier to keep up with in winter. Did you know that morning exercising brings better results and is healthier for the body?

3. Try to reduce high-calorie and high fat meals for a while. Abundance of fruits and vegetables will be a perfect substitution for your daily meal plan. Eating more plant foods helps to lose weight, detox/cleanse your system which means get in shape. Why? Because all fruits and most vegetables are laxative = rich in fiber. And fiber we need the most if we want to have a healthy digestion. Avoiding high calorie and high sugar foods will also relax you, and it is very important if we want to feel and look fabulous.

4. Try to eat more diuretic foods, such as cherries, pine apple, celery, parsley root, water melon, cucumbers, artichokes, watercress to improve urination and detox your body. Hot weather increases sweating and reduces urination which might lead to water retention, and sometimes to a puffy face or heavy legs. These foods will also help you reduce your blood pressure which is very important for healthy kidneys and heart. Check which fruits and vegetables are from "Dirty Dozen List", and why it is better (healthier) to buy them organic.

5. Try to spend at least 10 - 15 minutes every day being in nature: at the beach, in the park, in the woods, in your back yard watching birds, floating clouds, your favorite flower or a tiny lizard; or maybe doing completely nothing. It will distress your mind and relax your body.

Don't forget to breathe, smile and be happy.

Cushing's Syndrome: Abnormal Levels of Cortisol

Cushing's syndrome is a disorder caused by elevated levels of cortisol in blood and the normal level of cortisol may rise either by the intake of glucocorticoid drugs or by tumors that result in excessive secretion of cortisol or adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). Truly speaking Cushing's disease is the result of a tumor in the pituitary gland that causes excessive secretion of ACTH which in turn elevates the level of cortisol. About 70% of the patients suffering from this disease get affected due to the tumors and rest 30% suffer from the disease because of the intake of glucocorticod drugs. The pathology of the disease was first studied in detail by Harvey Cushing in 1932. The syndrome is also known as Itsenko-Cushing syndrome or hypercorticism. This syndrome is not only confined to humans only but has also been identified in domestic dogs, horses and rarely in cats. The syndrome should not be confused with a clinical condition identified as Cushing's triad where the intracranial pressure increases enormously. The disease is known to affect the individuals of the age group 20-50. According to a report about 10-15 million individuals suffer from Cushing's syndrome every year.

Individuals suffering from Cushing's syndrome may develop moon-like faces, facial plethora, supraclavicular fat pads, buffalo hump, truncal obesity and purple striae. They often complain of proximal muscle weakness, easy bruising, weight gain, hirsutism and growth retardation in children. Hypertension, osteopenia, diabetes mellitus and impairment of the immune system are other common symptoms. Excessive intake of exogenous glucocorticoids is also responsible for this syndrome. Exogenous steroids results in suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. An individual with suppressed hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis may not be able to increase steroid production appropriately during a medical illness or stress so requires exogenous doses of steroids to avoid adrenal crisis.

The most frequently observed symptoms of Cushing's syndrome include rapid weight gain particularly of the trunk and face with sparing of the limbs. A very common sign is the development of fat pads around the collar bone, on the back of the neck and a round face also known as moon face. Other symptoms include excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis, dilation of capillaries (telangiectasia), thinning of skin and other mucous membranes, purple or red striae on the trunk, buttocks, arms, legs or breasts, proximal muscle weakness, hirsutism, baldness or brittle hairs. The rare symptoms include hypercalcemia that causes skin necrosis. Excessive secretion of cortisol also affects other endocrine systems and causes insomnia, inhibited aromatase, reduced libido, impotence, amenorrhea and infertility due to elevations in androgens. Patients also suffer from psychological disturbances that may range from euphoria to psychosis. Depression and anxiety are other common symptoms. The most striking and remarkable skin changes include facial acne, susceptibility to superficial dermatophyte and malassezia infections and characteristic purplish striae on abdomen.

Other noticeable symptoms include polyuria, persistent hypertension and insulin resistance that cause hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus. Insulin resistance is accompanied by skin changes like acanthosis nigricans in axilla and around the neck as well as skin tangs in axilla. If left untreated Cushing's syndrome results in the development of heart disease and chances of death increase. Excessive secretion of ACTH causes hyper-pigmentation. Hyper-pigmentation is the due to the activity of Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH) which is produced as a byproduct from ACTH synthesis. This hormone is formed from Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC). Cortisol also participates in the exhibition of activity of the mineralocorticoids in high concentrations and causing hypertension and hyperkalemia. Gastrointestinal disturbances, infections and impaired wound healing are the other symptoms of this syndrome. Osteoporosis is also a symptom associated with Cushing's syndrome. Bone loss also occurs and bones of lower back, hip and shoulders also start paining. Cortisol level can also increase due to intake of estrogen in the contraceptive pills that contain a blend of estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen is responsible for the increase of cortisol-binding globulin that is responsible for the elevated level of cortisol.

When body tissues are exposed to elevated levels of cortisol for prolonged period of time then Cushing's syndrome occurs. Many individuals suffer from this syndrome as they consume exogenous glucocorticoid hormones namely prednisone for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other inflammatory diseases. Rest of the individuals develops this syndrome due to overproduction of cortisol by the body. A chain of events generally occur inside the body that finally results in the formation of cortisol. Hypothalamus is a very important part of brain which is about the size of a sugar cube sends corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) to the pituitary gland. This CRH stimulates pituitary gland which in turn releases the adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) that finally acts on the adrenal glands. Adrenal glands are small glands located just above the kidneys and when they are stimulated by the action of ACTH they release cortisol in the bloodstream. Cortisol has a number of important functions to perform inside the body. It maintains blood pressure and cardiovascular function, reduces immune system's inflammatory response and regulates the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats.

Cortisol also helps the body to respond to stress. For this reason, women in last 3 months of pregnancy and the highly trained athletes normally have high levels of cortisol. People suffering from depression, alcoholism, malnutrition and panic disorders also have elevated levels of this hormone. When the level of this hormone is adequate in blood then, the hypothalamus and pituitary release less CRH and ACTH. This confirms that cortisol released by the adrenal glands is precisely balanced to meet body's requirements. However, if something wrong happens either with adrenal glands, hypothalamus or pituitary glands then this balance may experience fluctuations. Pituitary adenomas are responsible for most of the cases of Cushing's syndrome. These adenomas are benign, non-cancerous, tumors of pituitary glands that result in excessive secretion of ACTH. Most patients have a single adenoma. This type of Cushing's syndrome is five times more frequent in women as compared to that in men. Some benign or malignant tumors that arise outside the pituitary gland can also produce ACTH and this condition is identified as ectopic ACTH syndrome. Lung tumors are associated with 50% of such cases and men are affected three times more than women. The most common forms of ACTH-producing tumors are oat cell, small cell lung cancer or carcinoid tumors and they account for 25% of lung cancer cases. Other types of tumors that also result in the production of ACTH are pancreatic islet cell tumors, medullary carcinomas of thyroid and thymomas.

Sometimes abnormalities may also take place in the adrenal glands and Cushing's syndrome may occur. This condition generally crops up in the individuals of 40 years of age. Most of these cases involve non-cancerous tumors of adrenal tissues known as adrenal adenomas that are responsible for excessive secretion of cortisol in the bloodstream. Adrenal cancers rarely result in the development of Cushing's syndrome. Cancer cells result in excessive secretion of cortisol and adrenal androgens. Most of the cases of this syndrome are not inherited at all. In very rare cases of Cushing's syndrome individuals have inherited tendency of developing tumors of one or more endocrine glands. In Primary Pigmented Micronodular Adrenal Disease children or young individuals develop small cortisol-producing tumors of the adrenal glands. In Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type I (MEN I) hormone secreting tumors of parathyroid glands, pancreas and pituitary occur. Cushing's syndrome in MEN I may occur due to pituitary, ectopic or adrenal tumors.

Pituitary gland is located just beneath the hypothalamus and both these essential structures are finally present in the brain. The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of hypothalamus is responsible for the production of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) which in turn stimulates the pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotropin (ACTH). ACTH travels via blood and reaches the adrenal glands which get activated and release cortisol. The zona fasciculata of the cortex of the adrenal gland respond to ACTH and finally release cortisol. Elevated levels of cortisol exhibit a negative feedback on the pituitary which finally decreases the secretion of ACTH. Adenoma in the cortex of the adrenal glands is also responsible for the excessive secretion of cortisol which is one of the causes responsible for Cushing's syndrome. Adenoma causes the cortisol level to become very high and the levels of ACTH are also very low. This syndrome only refers to hypercortisolism where the ACTH levels become very high along with elevated levels of cortisol in the blood. The levels of ACTH are very high because a tumor in the pituitary gland makes it unresponsive to the negative feedback against the elevated levels of cortisol. This disease was the first autoimmune disease discovered in humans.

Diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome is based on the patient's medical history, physical examination and laboratory tests. Tumors of the adrenal and pituitary gland can be detected by using X-rays. These tests can help a medical expert to identify if the blood cortisol levels are high and why this is so. The 24-hour urinary level free cortisol level test is the most appropriate diagnostic test. In this test as the name indicates urine of the patient is collected after an interval of 24 hours and then levels of cortisol are checked. If the amount of cortisol is higher than 50-100 micrograms within an interval of 24 hour then the individual is at the risk of suffering from this syndrome. The level of cortisol may vary depending upon the techniques utilized. Once Cushing's syndrome is diagnosed other tests are required to locate the exact regions that are associated with the abnormality that results in excessive cortisol production. These tests are based on the choice of the endocrinologist. Dexamethasone suppression test is another test that can be performed. This test helps to distinguish patients with excessive production of ACTH due to pituitary adenomas from those with ectopic-ACTH producing tumors. Here the patients are given a synthetic glucocorticoid known as dexamethasone orally for every 6 hours for 4 days. For the first two days the dose of this compound are kept low while it is increased to higher ones on the last two days. 24-hour urine samples are also collected before the administration of this compound.

Cortisol and other glucocorticoids signal the pituitary gland for lowering the secretion of ACTH in blood so the normal response after taking dexamethasone is a drop in blood and urine of cortisol levels. Different responses of cortisol to dexamethasone are noticed depending upon the cause of Cushing's syndrome either by pituitary adenoma or ectopic ACTH-producing tumor. The dexamethasone suppression test can give false results for the patients suffering from depression, high estrogen levels, alcohol abuse, stress and acute illness. Drugs namely phenytoin and phenobarbital may also give false results in response to this compound. So the physicians advise the patients to stop the usage of these drugs one week before undergoing dexamethasone suppression test. CRH stimulation test helps to distinguish between patients with pituitary adenomas or those with ectopic ACTH-producing tumor and cortisol-secreting adrenal tumors. Patients are given injections of cortiocotropin releasing hormone which in turn is responsible for the secretion of ACTH from the pituitary glands in blood. Patients with pituitary adenomas generally experience very high levels of ACTH and cortisol in blood. This response is generally rarely seen in the patients with ectopic ACTH syndrome and never in patients with cortisol-secreting adrenal tumors.

Direct visualization of endocrine glands or radiologic imaging helps in the identification of shape and size of pituitary and adrenal glands. These techniques help to detect if any tumor is present. The most common techniques used are computerized tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging. Computerized tomography actually produces a series of X-ray images that imparts a cross-sectional image of any part of body. Magnetic resonance imaging also generates images of body parts but no ionizing radiation is used. The imaging techniques are generally used for the detection of tumor once Cushing's syndrome is finally diagnosed. These techniques are not used for the diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome. Petrosal sinus sampling is another test that is not always used but can be used for the separation of pituitary from the ectopic causes of Cushing's syndrome. Petrosal sinuses are actually the veins that drain blood to the pituitary glands so blood samples are taken from them by the introduction of catheters by using local anesthesia and mild sedation. X-rays are often used for the detection of the correct position of the catheters. To improve the diagnostic accuracy injections of CRH are often given. The levels of ACTH in the petrosal sinuses are measured and then they are compared with the ACTH levels in a forearm vein. Higher levels of ACTH in the petrosal sinuses than in the forearm vein is indicative of the presence of pituitary adenoma and if the levels are similar then ectopic ACTH-syndrome is present.

Some individuals have elevated cortisol levels but do not show progressive effects of Cushing's syndrome like muscle weakness, fractures and thinning of skin. These individuals may be suffering from pseudo-Cushing's syndrome which was originally described in people who were depressed or alcohol addict. These individuals do not show long term effects shown by individuals with Cushing's syndrome so they do not require direct treatment of the endocrine glands. Generally dexamethasone-CRH test is performed to distinguish patients of pseudo-Cushing's syndrome from those with Cushing's syndrome. This test combines dexamethasone suppression and CRH stimulation tests. Elevated levels of cortisol suggest the presence of this disease. Some individuals may have substantially high levels of cortisol but they do not show effects of this syndrome. The high cortisol levels may be compensating for body's resistance for cortisol effects. This rare syndrome of cortisol resistance is a genetic state that results in hypertension and chronic androgen excess. Sometimes other conditions may be associated with this disease like the polycystic ovarian syndrome that causes menstrual disturbances, weight gain from adolescence, excessive hair growth and sometimes diabetes. Generally weight gain, high blood pressure, abnormal levels of cholesterol and triglycerides are associated with resistance to insulin action and diabetes often described as Metabolic Syndrome X. Patients with this disorder generally do not have elevated levels of cortisol.

The common treatments available for Cushing's syndrome include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or use of cortisol-inhibiting drugs. A number of therapies are available to treat the ACTH-secreting adenomas of Cushing's syndrome. The most commonly used treatment is the surgical removal of the tumor known as transsphenoidal adenomectomy. In this process the surgeon approaches the pituitary gland either through the nostril or through an opening made below the upper lip. Very fine instruments and special kind of microscope required for this purpose. As this surgery is very complicated so the patients are advised to consult the specialized centers only. The success rate of the surgery is 80% if carried out by an experienced surgeon. If surgery fails or only temporary cure is achieved then it can be repeated in order to obtain good results. After the successful pituitary surgery the elevated levels of ACTH drop two times lower as compared to the normal level. This is a natural but temporary drop in the level of ACTH and the patients are given synthetic form of cortisol. This replacement therapy can be stopped in most of the patients within an interval of one year.

Patients who fail to give promising results to transsphenoidal adenomectomy or candidates who are not suitable candidates for surgery, radiotherapy is a promising treatment. Radiation to the pituitary gland is generally given at an interval of 6 weeks. The chances of success range from 50-80% in both adults and children. A combination of radiotherapy and a drug known as mitotane helps in faster recovery. Mitotane suppresses cortisol production and thereby brings a decline in the plasma and urine hormone levels. Mitotane has shown 30-40% better results in the patients with Cushing's syndrome. To cure the overproduction of cortiol due to ectopic ACTH syndrome, it is always beneficial to remove all the cancerous tissue that produces ACTH. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy or a combination of these therapies can help in removal of cancerous tissue. The ACTH-secreting tumors may be very small or widespread at the time of diagnosis so mititane is a promising drug that can be administered for better results. In some cases if the pituitary surgery is not successful then surgical removal of the adrenal glands may replace the drug therapy. Surgery is the only treatment available for the benign and cancerous tumors of adrenal glands. Primary Pigmented Micronodular Adrenal Disease and the familial Carney's complex require surgical removal of adrenal glands.

Iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome is the most common form of Cushing's syndrome which is generally caused by treatment with corticosteroids. The incidence of the pituitary tumors may be relatively high but only a minute fraction of them are active and result in excessive hormone secretion. Adults with this disease may show symptoms like extreme weight gain, excessive hair growth in women, high blood pressure and skin problems. Additional symptoms may include muscle and bone weakness, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, sleep disturbances, moodiness, irritability and depression followed by amenorrhea in women, decreased fertility in men, baldness and hypercholesterolemia. Most of the cases of Cushing's syndrome are due to the action of exogenous glucocorticoids. About 13 cases per million individuals are diagnosed every year that are due to the endogenous reasons. Of these 70% of cases are due to ACTH-producing tumor, 15% due to ectopic-ACTH and 15% due to primary adrenal tumor.

Mortality and morbidity associated with Cushing's syndrome are primarily due to the effects caused by excessive levels of glucocorticoids. A very large pituitary tumor may cause panhypopituitarism and visual loss. Rare adrenocortical adenomas are also associated with a survival rate of only 5 years. Excess glucocorticoids also cause perforated viscera and increased susceptibility to fungal infections. Other additional problems that crop up due to excessive glucocorticoids include hypertension, obesity, osteoporosis, fractures, impaired immune function, impaired woun healing, glucose intolerance and psychosis. The female-to-male ratio of Cushing's syndrome is 5:1 which may be either due to pituitary or adrenal tumor. Ectopic ACTH production is more frequent in men than women due to increased incidence of lung tumors in them. The peak period of occurrence of Cushing's syndrome due to adrenal or pituitary adenoma is 25-40 years. Ectopic production due to lung cancer may occur in later phase of life. For keeping a regular check on Cushing's syndrome patients should be educated about adrenal crisis. Instruction for the intake f specific drug for treatment should be given.

Natural Ways to Lower Your High Blood Pressure

If you have high blood pressure you have probably been told by your doctor that you will have to take medicines to control it. That is not completely true, you can try alternatives to lower high pressure naturally. In this article we will take a look at some of the natural ways you can lower your blood pressure. One thing to remember is to make sure and carefully monitor your pressure readings if you do suffer from high pressure because this condition can be fatal, it can lead to strokes, heart failure, kidney problems and other blood related problems in the body.

One of the best ways to lower pressure if you are overweight is to lose a few pounds. You can have high blood pressure and be thin but if you are overweight and have high pressure you will have a better chance of lowering it if you exercise and start to eat a healthy diet.

Another way to lower high blood pressure is to eat certain foods that have been proven to be beneficial in lowering pressure. One such food is celery it is a natural diuretic, this means it will help flush out excess fluids and salts in your body. It is natural so has no bad side effects like some of the prescription diuretics that are available.

Another common food that helps lower pressure is garlic. It helps lower the risk of atherosclerosis, the hardening or furring within arteries, caused by excess plaques in the arteries. The garlic works by keeping the blood at the correct thickness and helping the blood circulatory system stay healthy.

The hawthorn plant has also been found to help lower high blood pressure. It is usually taken in capsule form and works by helping strengthen the heart muscle.

Other ways you can lower pressure are by changing your diet to low salt foods, cut out ready meals, junk food and fast foods. Prepare your own meals and start to eat more healthy foods, fruits, vegetables and lean meats.

Drinking more water is also good for lowering high blood pressure. Some people who have tried water fasts for 7 days have seen blood pressure drop as much as 60 points. Although this is not something to do lightly as 7 days with only water is not easy and may not be healthy, if you are considering this you should consult your doctor.

There are also natural mineral supplements you can take to lower high blood pressure. Magnesium or potassium are just a couple of examples both can help support the heart and nervous system. You would probably have to take them as supplement pills to get a high enough daily intake for these minerals to do any good.

As you can see there are quite a few natural things you can do to lower your blood pressure and with a bit of help and support from your doctor you should not have to be dependent on medications for the rest of your life. Discuss with your doctor other alternatives to medications and get him to help you research the alternatives to daily medication.

How to Detect A Prostate Problem

Each year more and more men will suffer with prostate problems and especially those over 50 years old. Some men will not know they have a problem and will put the symptoms down to simple wear and tear of the body.

The prostate gland sits between the penis and the anus just underneath the bladder and is responsible for supplying seminal fluid on ejaculation. As you get older this gland tends to swell which interrupts the flow of urine so that you will find that you have a weak flow, and in most cases you will have to get out of bed several times in the night to urinate.

By doing this your body is being deprived of valuable sleep, which will after awhile will alter your general health.

In a lot of cases the swelling of the prostate gland is often down to high blood pressure, and it is always recommended once you're over the age of 50 to have your blood pressure checked at least once a year if not more often.

On the negative side of things prostate Cancer is on the increase and if you do report to your Doctor that your having problems by getting out of bed several times to urinate he will then take a simple blood test to have you checked out for Cancer.

Not all prostate problems are cancerous yet it is always best to be safe than have the cancer cells divide and going to all parts of the body.

So what should you do if you think you are having prostate problems?

- Number 1 is to book an appointment with your Doctor

- Number 2 is to let your Doctor check you're prostate and take a blood test.

- Number 3 is to let your Doctor take your blood pressure.

From there the Doctor will prescribe blood pressure tablets should the reading be high, and then you will have to wait for the results of the blood tests. Normally this takes a few days and then the problem can be redressed.

For just a simple swelling of the prostate through high blood pressure a course of tablets can be prescribed. A lot of Doctors tend to prescribe Tamusulosin which will take down the swelling and help you get a decent nights sleep.

If your blood tests come back showing prostate cancer you will be sent to see an Urologist who will explain what needs to be done to cure you. Please remember that the sooner you do this the better the chances of a cure.

As a last note I must offer a word of warning about the drug Tamusulosin that it can affect your ejaculation and if this is something you're worried about it is best to talk this over with your Doctor.

Lower Blood Pressure Naturally - Water, Potassium, and Magnesium - Keys to Lower Blood Pressure

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute adults aged 55 or older have 90% chance of developing high blood pressure if they don't already have it. If this condition goes untreated the risk of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) increases substantially. This can ultimately lead to kidney disease, heart failure, stroke and even dementia. If you have a severe high blood pressure condition, meaning your reading is 160/100 or higher; you'll need medications to bring it down to a normal range, which is 120/80.

The Good News

If you have board line hypertension you can lower your numbers by 10 to 20 points by making some changes to your diet. This will require some different food choices and/or taking some supplements. You always want to speak to your doctor before you make any changes or modify your medication dosage.

The Importance of Water

Water is crucial to life and yet approximately 20% of Americans drink no water at all and 42% drink two glasses a day or less. If your body has insufficient water this causes a decrease in total blood volume, a constriction of blood vessels and an increase in blood pressure.

The average adult requires about 100 ounces of water a day but about a third of this comes from food that's consumed. This leaves 8 8-ounces glasses that you need to drink. If you live in a warm climate or you're exercising heavily then you will need more to make up for the water lost in sweat.

If possible, spring water is your best choice because it is a natural source of minerals or may have minerals added. Magnesium, in particular, is beneficial because it is an alkaline mineral that relaxes blood vessels and this helps to lower BP. Other choices are juices or tea especially green tea. Recent studies have shown that green tea improves blood flow and the function of the endothelial cells, which line the blood vessels.

The Sodium-to-Potassium Ratio

It's common knowledge that salt, specifically sodium, can contribute to high blood pressure, however, the ratio of sodium to potassium may be more important. Only about 15% to 25% of Americans are sensitive to sodium. This condition causes a sharp increase in blood pressure. While lowering sodium intake helps, increasing potassium is even more beneficial.

Potassium enters the cells easier than sodium and helps to balance the sodium in the cells. If you don't consume or retain enough potassium the amount of sodium can increase in your blood, leading to high blood pressure. Increasing your potassium intake will relax your blood vessels and lower your blood pressure.

Most fruits and vegetables are good sources of potassium and they are low in sodium as well. Especially good choices are bananas, dried fruit, and squash.

Don't Take Drugs to Regulate Your High Blood Pressure

If you are taking any medication to control your blood pressure, odds are that it is having some sort of side effect on your body. This is normal in all pharmaceutical pills that regulate your blood pressure. Millions of people worldwide take medications and suffer from the side effects. The side effects can be minor to very serious. However the dangerous, serious effects occur slowly over time and by the time you are diagnosed with the side effect, it may be too late. A good high blood pressure (HBP) medication should not have any side effects. That is why millions of Americans are turning to natural remedies to cure their high blood pressure.

HBP Effects On Your Body

HBP increases the pressure in your blood vessels. The effect of it is like filling a small water balloon with a water hose. The pressure of the water hose will rupture the small water balloon rather quickly.

The same happens with your blood vessels. The high pressure that the blood puts on the vessels can cause the vessel to rupture. It will not only damage your blood vessel, but it will also damage your liver, brain and other crucial organs in your body. If the pressure remains for a long time, it will eventually rupture a vessel. If the vessel ruptures in the brain, you can suffer a deadly stroke. If the stroke doesn't kill you, then you can have severe brain damage. You can end up in a vegetative state. Your risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke from high blood pressure is 3 times more likely than a person without HBP.

Pharmaceutical Medications (Drugs)

The problem with drugs is that they are not developed to treat just one illness. They are created with the intent of treating multiple illnesses. They treat multiple symptoms. These additional treatments are not needed and therefore can cause side effects. The side effects can be minor from nausea feeling, dizziness, impotence to death.

Natural Alternatives

Doctors do tell you that there are possible side effects if you take these medications. However they can't give you anything that wont have side effects because no such medication exists. However, there are natural alternatives that you can do and take to control your high blood pressure.

You don't have to lose large amounts of weight or work out a lot. There is natural supplements that you can take that will control your blood pressure just as effectively as your pharmaceutical medications.

Why don't the doctors tell you about this? Well, they are being paid by the drug companies to distribute their drugs. They don't want to lose money. They don't care if you become sick from the side effects. They just want to push these medications out and collect their money from these drug companies.

Let's Drink to Lower Blood Pressure! The Lowdown on Alcohol and High Blood Pressure

If you're confused about the effect of alcohol on your blood pressure you can be forgiven. For years we've been told that moderate drinking is good for our hearts. We've heard about the "French Paradox", whereby the French consume large quantities of red wine and saturated fats, yet have lower rates of heart disease than Americans and other non-Mediterranean people. Much of the "paradox" is attributed to drinking red wine. Other studies have shown that modest amounts of other types of alcohol produce similar benefits.

Now a couple of new studies from Japan are being killjoys by indicating that even modest drinking of alcohol can increase blood pressure. The researchers found a direct relation between alcohol consumption and blood pressure. In other words, as you drink your blood pressure increases, starting from the very first drink. The doctor leading one of the studies concluded: "alcohol use represents an important modifiable risk factor for hypertension".

So what are we to believe? Some might hedge their bets by saying that more research is needed but the preponderance of evidence clearly supports moderate consumption of alcohol for a healthy heart and blood pressure. A major study in Denmark showed that one or two drinks a day clearly reduced the risk of heart attack in both men and women, particularly from middle age on. What's more, a study that's just come out of Harvard reveals that a drink or two of alcohol a day adds further benefits to even physically fit, healthy men with an already low risk of heart disease.

So until and unless additional evidence says otherwise, you can raise your glass with confidence that the glow on your cheeks is a healthy one. We should also acknowledge that responsible drinking is not just about physical health but can also contribute to a healthy social life and can help to relieve stress. These benefits can help to further improve our general health and lower our blood pressure.

But at what point comes the inevitable question: how much is too much? This could be the most important question of all because the one fact that stands out most clearly in the debate over alcohol and your health is that excess is extremely damaging. We all know what over-indulgence does to our livers but it also damages our hearts by increasing blood pressure, among other things.

So how much is too much? Unfortunately, the answer is not a simple matter of "units". Did you know that this familiar measure that has shaped public health policy for 20 years has been exposed as entirely arbitrary and lacking any scientific basis? A member of the Royal College of Physicians (U.K.) that produced the recommendation in 1987 called it "a sort of intelligent guess by a committee". He went further to state that "those limits were really plucked out of the air. It's impossible to say what's safe and what isn't. We don't really have any data whatsoever."

The original guidance recommends that men consume no more than 21 units of alcohol a week and women no more than 14. More recently we tend to hear the even more restrictive recommendation of 2 units daily for men and one for women.

There is evidence to suggest that the limits should be raised. For example, a British study concluded that men drinking 21 to 30 units of alcohol a week had the lowest rate of mortality. Another found that men would have to drink a whole bottle of wine a day, or 63 units a week, to reach the same risk of mortality of a teetotaler.

Of course this does not mean that anything goes. The conflicting evidence merely highlights the fact that our tolerance to alcohol varies widely depending on many factors including sex, age, race, weight, general health and fitness, time of day and whether food is consumed while drinking alcohol.

Considering all these variations, and more, it's easy to see how silly it is to prescribe units of alcohol. Especially when there's a much better way: it's called common sense. Most people know when they're drinking too much, whether or not they are prepared to admit it to themselves or others. If in doubt, there are countless common sense signs of over-indulgence running from the blatantly obvious - a hangover - to more subtle signs that include sleep problems, fatigue, mood swings, and so on. Do we really need public health policy to tell us how much we can safely drink?

Having said this, the tipping point between healthy drinking and dangerous excess is a fine one, so if you're going to err it should be on the side of caution. Excessive drinking of alcohol will increase your blood pressure and such an increase can pose an even greater risk than high blood pressure, which is stabile. If you experience rising blood pressure along with a nagging bad feeling about your drinking, you'd be well-advised to re-evaluate your lifestyle and cut back. A decreased consumption of alcohol can lower blood pressure significantly.

Perhaps the Greek comic, Eubulus (expressing the words of Dionysus, the god of wine) said it best: "Three bowls only do I mix for the temperate-one to health, the second to love and pleasure, and the third to sleep. The fourth bowl belongs not to us but to hubris, the fifth to uproar, the sixth to drunken revel, the seventh to black eyes, the eighth to the policeman and the ninth to vomiting. The tenth belongs to madness and throwing of furniture."

Blood Pressure Control - How to Maintain a Healthy Life

Blood pressure control is important in that it can potentially save a hypertensive patient's life. High blood pressure or hypertension is the force exerted on the artery walls by the blood flowing through the body. When the force is challenged, the pressure of the blood elevates. This elevated pressure can cause more serious complications; therefore it must be treated effectively.

High blood pressure has no significant signs or symptoms and is often referred to as the "silent killer." Consequently, many Americans have developed the condition, yet they are not aware of it.

The American Heart Association documents that an estimate of 50million Americans suffer with high blood pressure and requires ongoing medical attention to maintain proper blood pressure control.

Healthcare professionals implement a well- rounded individualized treatment plan to decrease the pressure as well as control progression. Each treatment plan is designed to accommodate existing and pre- existing factors that may induce the development of the condition.

Initially, the healthcare professional will prescribe certain anti- hypertensive medications. These drugs are used to immediately lower the blood pressure levels. One of the most common drugs for blood pressure control is the calcium channel blocking agents (channel blockers or calcium antagonists). These channel blockers reduce the force of contraction of muscles of the heart and muscle.

Another drug used to reduce blood pressure is the peripheral vasodilators. Hydralazine (Apresoline), isxuprine (Vasodilan), and minoxidil (Loniten) act as blood vessel relaxers. Yet another antihypertensive drug is the thiazide diurectics. The diurectics promote sodium loss thereby lowering blood volume. More so, the thiazide diurectics helps lower the pressure of the walls of the blood vessels; which is also referred to as the peripheral vascular resistance.

Blood pressure control can also be accomplished by implementing daily healthy life- style changes. These changes may include a healthy eating plan, weight loss, and exercise. Healthcare professionals suggest that a healthy diet, which should consist of fruits and vegetables, low- sodium intake and foods that are low in fats and cholesterol. Obesity plays a major role in elevated blood pressure.

Changing your diet and incorporating physical activity into your daily routine will help you loose and maintain a healthy body weight. Lastly, exercise will not only help you loose weight, it will assist with improving the overall health.

Believe it or not, exercise does not require much effort. Light to moderate physical activity, such as walking, bicycling, or even yoga can significantly lower blood pressure. Exercise is also known to minimize the need for medications and reduce the effects of annoying side effects.