Diabetes and hypertension :
Definately try to avoid this If you can.
Diabetes and hypertension, unfortunately, often go hand in hand. The statistics show that 7 out of 10 people who suffer from diabetes also suffer from hypertension. Obviously, you don't need to have diabetes to have hypertension, but even here, the statistics are not encouraging: it's twice as common for diabetic people to suffer high blood pressure than those who don't have diabetes. The exact link between diabetes and blood pressure is still not exactly known. Diabetes is a complicated disease in and of itself; and when diabetes and blood pressure issues are combined, there are multiple possible reasons they can co-exist. What medicine speculates is that both diabetes and hypertension appear to have a metabolic link via insulin. As any diabetic knows, insulin helps carry sugar into the cells, but a negative role may be that it creates a higher salt retention indirectly by affecting the kidneys. Regardless of the reason why there is a link, the good news is that there are ways you can control both diabetes and blood pressure. Broadly speaking, there are two major avenues you can pursue.
Non-Drug Therapy
The first option involves no drug use. These include such things as diet and exercise. If you follow an appropriate diet you can achieve near miraculous results. However, it's a bit more complicated than just reducing sodium intake (although that's a good start). I suggest making an appointment with a dietitian or a naturopathic physician and get on a healthy diet and exercise plan and allow them to monitor your progress. There are many amazing foods, herbs, and spices you can begin adding to your diet, for instance, that will open up new culinary worlds to you while helping you control your diabetes and hypertension. A naturopathic doctor, for example, may tell you to start taking hawthorn berry supplements. Hawthorn helps improve blood flow and combats artery stiffness or hardening, which helps reduce hypertension. A popular spice that can be used in your cooking or as a supplement is turmeric, which has a proven ability to strengthen blood vessels and boost blood flow in the process.
Drug Therapy
Although prescription drugs have possible side effects that you need to discuss with your physician, many of the meds on the market can really help you control your conditions so that you can carry on living and enjoying your life. Here are a couple of examples that your physician may recommend. Beta blockers -- these medications help lower the heart rate and also reduce blood pressure. ACE inhibitors -- these drugs work by keeping your blood vessels relaxed, which allows for improved blood flow and, therefore, lower blood pressure. As you can see, if you suffer from diabetes and blood pressure issues simultaneously, there are many options for you. Discuss them carefully with your health care providers and choose the ones that you feel are most appropriate.
Other Complication pages of Interest
Microalbumnuria
Diabetes and Depression
Diabetic eye problems
Diabetic Impotence
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Diabetic Nephropathy
Diabetic Shock
Diabetic Gastroparesis
From Diabetes and Hypertension
To Your Healthy Dibetic Life
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