Abstract
Hypertension is defined as persistent increase in the blood pressure above
the normal range. Hypertension is considered as a dangerous disease because of the
various complications it causes such as atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease,
kidney diseases, etc. The following article aims at explaining various rare
homoeopathic remedies which prove to be useful in treating both essential as
well as secondary hypertension.
Keywords: Homoeopathy, hypertension, blood pressure, miasm.
Abbreviations: Hypertension (HTN), millimetre of mercury (mm of Hg), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
Introduction
Hypertension is one of the leading causes of the global burden of disease.
Approximately 7.6 million disability adjusted life years worldwide were
attributable to high blood pressure in 2001, which is expected to be much more
in 2020. Hypertension is said to double the risk of cardiovascular diseases
including coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure and peripheral
arterial disease.[1]
Definition
Hypertension is defined as increase in blood pressure above the normal
value. Normal value for adult is 120/80 mm Hg. The blood pressure of the
individual varies with various factors like time, season, age, sex and health
condition.[2]
Hypertension (HTN) is the medical term for high blood pressure. It is dangerous because it makes the heart work too hard and contributes to atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries), besides increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. HTN can also lead to other conditions such as congestive heart failure, kidney disease, and blindness[3]
Risk/predisposing factors of hypertension
- Essential hypertension: advancing age, hereditary, type A personality obesity, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, hypercholesterolaemia, drugs like NSAIDS, vitamin-D deficiency, lack of sleep, etc.[4]
- Secondary hypertension: Renal diseases like glomerulonephritis, polycystic kidney disease, tumours, etc. Endocrine disorders like cushing’s syndrome, pheochromocytoma, etc. [4]
- Clinical manifestations of hypertension:
Headache, vertigo, various vague symptoms like heaviness of head, dizziness, weakness, dim vision, lack of concentration, anxiety, dyspnoea, palpitation, etc. [5] - Homoeopathic concept of hypertension
Homoeopathy, as a holistic system of medicine, believes in man as a whole concept. Health in homoeopathy denotes harmonious functioning of the vital force and any deviation in this harmony is termed as disease. In homoeopathy, as Dr Hahnemann has mentioned, ‘there is no disease but the sick people’. So, it the individual who is treated and not just the disease. Coming to the case of hypertension either it be primary/ essential or secondary it is the individual with hypertension who is considered for treatment and not just his high blood pressure. It is the sick man who must be restored to health and not just his any tissues or organs in specific.[6]
MIASMATIC BACKGROUND
Hypertension of psoric origin have various aetiological factors including
various emotional disturbances like anxiety, fear, worries, grief, anger, etc. Usually,
high blood pressure subsides with settlement of the above said factors in
hypertension of psoric origin.[6 ]
Hypertension is usually an expression of sycosis where the coordination of body functions is lost . The element of excess is seen in sycotic miasm diseases. Hypertension in sycotic miasm is due to narrowing of the blood vessels. Usually, people of sycotic miasm are obese, hypertrophy of various organs and accumulation of body fluid are symptoms of sycotic miasm which are also the leading causes of hypertension.[6]
Secondary hypertension usually shows syphilitic miasm in its background. Various congenital causes of hypertension also come under syphilitic miasm. The syphilitic miasm in primary or secondary hypertension leads to destructive changes like tear in various arteries of brain, retina, heart, and kidneys.[6]
Lesser-known homoeopathic remedies
Vanadium metallicum:
It is the remedy for the degenerative conditions of the arteries.
Hypertension leading to atherosclerosis. Person gets the sensation as if heart
is being compressed and there is no room for the blood in the aorta. Commonly
indicated for atheroma of the arteries of brain and liver. [7,8]
Viscum album:
In cases of hypertension due to hypertrophy with valvular insufficiency.
Pulse is weak and small and is due to central irritation of the vagus nerve.
Unable to rest in a reclining position. Has got dilated blood vessels but does
not act on the centers of medulla. [7,8]
Strophanthus hispidus :
it can be used in those cases of
hypertension caused due to various dropsical conditions. It is also indicated
for hypertension giving rise to atherosclerosis, hypertension due to rigid
arteries of the aged people. Pulse is quickened due to its increased
contractile action on the heart muscle.[7,8]
Lycopus virginicus:
This remedy lowers the blood pressure by reducing the rate of heart and
increasing the length of systole to a greater degree. Pulse is weak, irregular
and intermittent. Can be helpful in those cases caused due to aneurism of large
vessels near heart. [7,8]
Spartium scorpariums:
Spartian sulphate increases the
strength of the heart, slows it and reduces the blood pressure. It lowered the
systolic and diastolic pressures in the provers. It weakens the cardiac
contraction. Commonly used in physiological doses to combat arterial
hypertension.[7,9]
Sumbulus moschatus:
Has symptoms of nervous palpitation. Pulse is irregular. High blood
pressure due to atherosclerosis. Has great curative action in
cardiac asthma. A tissue remedy for sclerosed arteries. This remedy has a
symptom of want of elasticity in vessels. Palpitation on least excitement.
[7,8]
Conclusion
There are many more remedies for hypertension in homoeopathy which are
rarely used and very less known about their action and efficiency. Success in
management of hypertensive cases requires correct selection of similar remedy
based on symptom totality, strict diet and lifestyle modification. One must
also keep in mind about sudden complications that may arise due to hypertension
and their management whenever treating a case of essential or secondary
hypertension.[9]
References
- LongoD, Fauci A, Kasper D, Hauser S, Jameson J. and Loscalzo J. Harrison’s manual of medicine, 18th edition 2012
- Robbins Basic pathology, 2017.
- TabassumN, Ahmad F. Role of natural herbs in the treatment of hypertension. Pharmacognosy reviews. 2011; 5:30.
- Kansal K. RK. Textbook of Practice of Medicine with Homeopathic Therapeutics (Hardback), 2004.
- Alam MN. Excel community medicine: Study Aid foundation for excellence Islamia jamiat taliba Faisalabad, 2017.
- Latif B, role of homoeopathy in the treatment of hypertension, International Journal of Homoeopathic Sciences 2017; 1(1): 33-37
- BoerickeW, Pocket manual of Homoeopathic material medica and repertory,
- Clarke JH, A Dictionary of practical materia medica, B Jain publishers 2018.
- Homoeopathic material of Indian drugs [ available from www.ccrhindia.org]
About the authors:
Dr Ragini Shukla
Correspondent author:
Dr Pradeep Bisen
Department of Homoeopathy Philosophy, Guru Mishri Homoeopathic Medical College
