Controlling Hypertension

Control Hypertension / BP for a Healthy Life

Hypertension is not necessarily caused due to stress and strain. It is a disease like any other and needs to be managed through medication & regular exercise routine.

Hypertension generally does not have any symptoms and is difficult to detect. In severe hypertension, following symptoms may occur: Headache, Nose bleeding Blurred vision High BP is transmitted to the filtering units of the kidney and causes damage, which eventually leads to impaired filtration and chronic kidney disease.

Effective control and maintenance of BP at 120/80 is essential to prevent and slow down progression of kidney disease. However, kidney disease also causes hypertension, thus making the kidney a victim as well as a cause of hypertension. Symptoms of kidney disease: Swollen feet High blood pressure. Symptoms of advanced kidney disease Fatigue Poor appetite Difficulty in breathing Weight loss. Most patients discover about hypertension when they undergo a routine clinical examination It’s important to check BP regularly. All newly detected patients should have an assessment of kidney function which includes Blood tests for urea and serum creatinine estimation Urine tests for protein/albumin excretion. It would be helpful if laboratories in India started reporting eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate –calculated on the basis of age, body weight and serum creatinine).


Myth: Hypertension is always caused by stress or physical activity or strain
Fact: Hypertension is not necessarily the natural consequence of stress and strain. Stress and strain are a routine part of life and may slightly aggravate pre-existing hypertension.

Hypertension is a disease like any other and needs to be controlled through medication & a very regular cardiovascular exercises & reducing hypertension.

Remember weight control plays a very important role in controlling high blood pressure. So if you are running the risk of a high weight, its important to start on a weight loss routine before its too late.

Have a healthy lifestyle for a healthy life.

Matsyasana

Matsya-asana - The Fish Pose

The word Matsya, in Sanskrit means fish. Thus this posture de posture. It is called fish, as this position fills the lungs with air, improving the ability to float in water. Matsyasana gives a backward stretch to the cervical thoracic, and lumbar regions of the spine and the chest fully. This asana gives maximum benefit when performed after the Sarvanga Asana (Shoulderstand Posture).

There are two methods of doing this asana. One is folding or turning back the head and neck area combined with the lotus posture (Padma Asana). The second easier method is without the lotus posture and can be practiced by any person.

How to Do Matsyasana?
1. Lie flat on the back in the shava-asana. alternatively, you may start by sitting in The Lotus Pose or Padmasana.
2. Keeping the buttocks on the floor, inhale and raise the head, shoulders, back and upper arms off the floor arching the back and raising the chest up. Tilt the head back and place the top of the head flat on the floor.
3. Raise the elbows off the floor bring your hands up just below the chest and join them at the palms with the fingers pointing straight up (form the anjali-mudra or salutation hand gesture). Hold for the duration of the inhale breath or breath gently through the nostrils to remain in the posture longer.
4. Return to the shava-asana.

Benefits of Matsyasana
1. The matsyaasana creates a great expansion and stretching of the chest which helps relieve upper respiratory congestion as well as benefits the heart.

2. Additionally, the sinus are drained and opened from the inversion of the head, stretching of the neck and pressure placed on the top of the head.
3. The thyroid and parathyroid glands are stimulated as well.

Shirshasana

Shirshasana - The Headstand Pose

This is a posture in which the body is completely inverted, and held upright supported by the forearms, while the crown of the head rests lightly on the floor. It is known as the king of yoga asanas. This asana has the highest difficulty level. Beginners must be under the guidance of a yoga-guru, even to begin this posture. Consult with a qualified yoga instructor before attempting Shirshasana. This is an advanced pose and should not be attempted until one has practiced a good deal of the less demanding asanas such as forward and backward bends, twists, etc. and developed a good deal of muscle strength in the neck, back, and shoulder regions. Breath control and balance are also essential.

Practitioners of yoga believe that, like most inverted positions, the practice of Shirshasana increases the flow of blood to the brain, improves memory and other intellect functions. It is believed to rejuvenate the body and mind and regulate the flow of energy (prana) in the body.

However, this posture is not recommended for persons suffering from high blood pressure, heart palpitations, glaucoma, detached retina, conjunctivitis, brain disease, brain injury, menstruation, obesity, neck injury, and back injury. Also if you are pregnant, consult with your physician or qualified yoga instructor before doing this pose. This pose must be exited immediately if one is about to cough, sneeze or yawn.

How to do Shirshasana?
1. Kneel down and grab your elbows with your hands.
2. Keep the elbows where they are and interlock the fingers in front of you.
3. Elbows and hands now form an equilateral triangle.
4. Place the very top of your head on the floor with the back of your head resting against the fingers.
5. Straighten the knees, raise your hips, your body now resembling an inverted V. The weight should be about equally distributed between your head/arms and the feet.
6. Keeping your knees straight as much as possible, walk with little steps, bringing your feet as close as possible to your head. This will shift the weight from the feet onto the head/arms.
7. Keep your back as straight as possible to prevent your neck from arching.
8. Bend the knees keeping them close to the chest and your feet close to your buttocks. Shift the hips to keep your balance.
9. Keep your knees bent and point them to sky.
10. Now and only now straighten your legs. Keep your feet relaxed. Make sure that the head is supporting no more than 10% of your body weight, the rest being applied on the elbows. At first hold it for 5 seconds. Increase gradually to 2-3 minutes.

Benefits of Shirshasana
1. Brings fresh blood supply to the brain.
2. Rests the heart by using gravity to stimulate veinous return
3. Relieves pressure from the veins in the lower body (varicose veins)
4. Encourages deeper breathing, therefore strengthens the lungs and increases one's vitality
5. Relieves pressure in the lower back
6. Improves physical balance
7. Helps overcome fear & improved concentration
8. Improves memory grasping power & sharpens sensory organs
9. Improves mental balance