PRACTICUM ON LIFE STYLE DISEASES

 

Practicum on Lifestyle Disease

                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Lifestyle diseases are defined as diseases linked with the way people live their life. These are non-communicable diseases. This is commonly caused by lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating, alcohol, drugs and smoking. Diet and lifestyle are major factors thought to influence susceptibility to many diseases. Here, I am discussing about Hypertension.

Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure. It can lead to severe health complications and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and sometimes death. Blood pressure is the force that a person’s blood exerts against the walls of their blood vessels. This pressure depends on the resistance of the blood vessels and how hard the heart has to work. Almost half of all adults in the United States have high blood pressure, but many are not aware of this fact. Hypertension is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and aneurysm. Keeping blood pressure under control is vital for preserving health and reducing the risk of these dangerous conditions. In this practicum, we explain how blood pressure  increase, how to monitor it, and ways to keep it within a normal range.

What Is "Normal" Blood Pressure?

A blood pressure reading is written like this: 120/80. It's read as "120 over 80." The top number is called the systolic, and bottom number is called the diastolic. The ranges are:

• Normal: Less than 120 over 80 (120/80)
• Elevated: 120-129/less than 80
• Stage 1 high blood pressure: 130-139/80-89
• Stage 2 high blood pressure: 140 and above/90 and above
• Hypertension crisis: higher than 180/higher than 120 -- See a doctor right away

If your blood pressure is above the normal range, talk to your doctor about how to lower it.

Causes of Hypertension

The exact causes of high blood pressure are not known, but several things may play a role, including:

• Smoking
• Being overweight or obese
• Lack of physical activity
• Too much salt in the diet
• Too much alcohol consumption (more than 1 to 2 drinks per day)
• Stress
• Older age
• Genetics
• Family history of high blood pressure
• Chronic kidney disease
• Adrenal and thyroid disorders
• Sleep apnea

Symptoms of Hypertension

Most people with high blood pressure have no signs or symptoms, even if blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels. A few people with high blood pressure may have headaches, shortness of breath or nosebleeds, but these signs and symptoms aren't specific and usually don't occur until high blood pressure has reached a severe or life-threatening stage.

How to cure Hypertension

Lifestyle adjustments are the standard, first-line treatment for hypertension.

1) Regular physical exercise - Current guidelines recommend that all people, including those with hypertension, engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity, aerobic exercise every week, or 75 minutes a week of high intensity exercise. People should exercise on at least 5 days of the week. Examples of suitable activities are walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming.

2) Stress reduction -Avoiding or learning to manage stress can help a person control blood pressure. Meditation, warm baths, yoga, and simply going on long walks are relaxation techniques that can help relieve stress. People should avoid consuming alcohol, recreational drugs, tobacco, and junk food to cope with stress, as these can contribute to elevated blood pressure and the complications of hypertension.Smoking can increase blood pressure. Avoiding or quitting smoking reduces the risk of hypertension, serious heart conditions, and other health issues.

3) Medication - People can use specific medications to treat hypertension. Doctors will often recommend a low dose at first. Antihypertensive medications will usually only have minor side effects .Eventually, people with hypertension will need to combine two or more drugs to manage their blood pressure.

4)  Diet - People can prevent high blood pressure by following a heart-healthy diet.

> Reducing salt intake - People’s average salt intake is between 9 grams (g) and 12 g per day in most countries around the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommend reducing intake to under 5 g a day to help decrease the risk of hypertension and related health problems. Lowering salt intake can benefit people both with and without hypertension.

> Moderating alcohol consumption -Moderate to excessive alcohol consumption can increase blood pressure.A healthcare provider can help people reduce consumption if they find it difficult to moderate their alcohol intake.

> Eating more fruit and vegetables and less fat-People who have high blood pressure or people at high risk of developing high blood pressure should eat as little saturated and total fat as possible. Instead, experts recommend:

• whole grain, high fiber foods
• a variety of fruit and vegetables
• beans, pulses, and nuts
• fish rich in omega-3 twice a week
• nontropical vegetable oils, for example, olive oil
• skinless poultry and fish
• low fat dairy products

It is important to avoid trans fats, hydrogenated vegetable oils, and animal fats, as well as large portion sizes. Some fats, such as those in oily fish and olive oil, have protective effects on the heart. However, these are still fats. While they are typically healthful, people with a risk of hypertension should still include them in their total fat intake.

5) Managing body weight -Excess body weight can contribute to hypertension. A fall in blood pressure usually follows weight loss, as the heart does not have to work so hard to pump blood around the body.A balanced diet with a calorie intake that matches the individual’s size, sex, and activity level will help.