What is hypertension or high blood pressure (Rakta Vata)
?
Hypertension
(Rakta Vata) or high blood pressure is a disorder characterised by
more than normal pressure at which the blood is being pumped by the
heart. The main function of the heart is to pump blood into the arteries
and to receive the blood that comes back to it, after having completed
a circuit of the whole body within fifteen seconds. With each beat
of the heart, the blood is pumped out to the various organs through
the arteries. When there is a disorder of the arteries such as arteriosclerosis
(hardening of the arteries or deposition of fit in their insides),
they are unable to contain the amount of blood that is necessity for
a normal functioning of its circulation throughout the body, with
the result that the heart is strained and works overtime to maintain
the required amount of blood. In that process, it pumps with greater
vigour and what is known as 'high' pressure of the blood is caused.
What
are the causes and symptoms ?
The
normal pressure in a healthy, adult is generally taken to be about
140 to 150 mm of mercury (systolic) and 90 mm (diastolic). Depending
upon individual constitutions, any variation from the normal gives
rise to symptoms like a headache, a sensation of ringing in the ears,
pressure in the frontal region of the head, palpitations, and a general
feeling of unease. Hypertension may be categorised as being either
essential or functional. It may be caused in the latter case is a
result of malfunctioning of the kidneys, giving rise to a high urea
content in the blood. Stress or anxiety may be the other causes of
functional hypertension.
According
to Ayurveda, however, hypertension is a result of vitiation of vayu.
Excessive use of alcohol and other Intoxicants; salt; lack of exercise,
leading to continuous inactivity of the heart muscle under conditions
of stress-are all reasons for hypertension.
The
cardinal symptoms of hypertension are: inability to sleep well, palpitations,
giddiness, weakness, and impairment of digestion. If the disorder
becomes chronic due to carelessness or lack of proper medication,
the capillaries supplying blood to the retina may become disordered
and there may be impairment of vision. If the blood supply to the
brain fails as a complication of high blood pressure, the patient
may fill victim to a stroke. There may be cerebral haemorrhage, resulting
in paralysis or even death.
SOME
OF THE COMMON REMEDIES
-
Garlic
Raw garlic has heating effect. It is therefore used with buttermilk.
In the early stages, it is advised to use 1 mg of garlic, thrice
a day. Gradually, the content can be increased to 3 gm, also three
times in a day.
-
In
another useful form garlic, is fried in ghee with honey. This
way, one can get rid of extreme smell and also it is cholesterol
free. (Garlic should be avoided raw and should be mixed with herbs
to overcome any adverse effect).
We
offer some classical Indian supportive remedies for this disease which
are supposed to be taken strictly under medical supervision. Kindly
Ask a Doctor
