Drinking Water Helps Lose Weight

A recent study found that middle-aged and older adults who drank 2 glasses of water before each meal, consumed fewer calories and lost more weight than their counterparts who did not drink water before their meals.

Two groups of overweight and obese adults aged between 55 and 75 were formed for the study. One group was told to follow a low-fat low-calorie diet and the other was told to follow the same diet but to drink two cups of water before each meal.

At the end of 12 weeks, the study found that those who drank water before their meals lost an average of 15.5 pounds, compared to the 11 pound loss for their counterparts, which is almost a 30% difference.

The researchers followed up the subjects after 1 year, and those who continued to drink water before their meals not only kept their weight off but continued to lose a bit more, around 1.5 pounds on average.  Researchers warn that the pre-meal water drinking may only work for middle-aged and older people as a similar study that involved those aged 18 - 35 did not show weight loss or lower calorie intake.


Source : http://www.publichealthforums.com/s-drinking-water-helps-lose-weight.html

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The Future of Addiction Treatment

Is there some way out of here?

Addictions are chronic diseases. They may require a lifetime of treatment. After a number of severe episodes of alcohol or drug abuse, the brain may be organically primed for more of the same. Long-term treatment is sometimes, if not always, the most effective way out of this dilemma. (The same is true of unipolar depression.)

We will need to learn a lot more about chemicalsthe ones we ingest, and the ones that are produced and stored naturally in our bodiesif we plan to make any serious moves toward more effective treatment. What we have learned about the nature of pleasure and reward is a strong start. The guiding insight behind most of the work is that addiction to different drugs involves reward and pleasure mechanisms common to them all. The effects of the drugwhether it makes you sleepy, stimulated, happy, talkative, or delusionalconstitute a secondary phenomenon. A good deal of earlier research was directed at teasing out the customized peculiarities of one drug of abuse compared to another. Now most addiction scientists agree that receptor alterations in response to the artificial stimulation produced by the drugs are the biochemical key, and that recovery occurs when the brains remarkable plastic abilities go to work at the molecular level, re-regulating and adjusting to the new, drug-free or drug-reduced status quo. An addict beats addiction by ceasing the constant and artificial manipulation of neuronal receptors, to be entirely unromantic for a moment about the nature of recovery.

But in order for that to happen most effectively, you have to stop taking the drugs.

Comparing our reservoir of pleasure chemicals to money in the bank, Dr. George Koob, Chairman of the Committee On The Neurobiology Of Addictive Disorders at the Scripps Institute in La Jolla, California, draws  the following analogy: 

We can expend that money over the course of a single weekends binge on cocaine or we can expend it over a two-week period in the normal pleasures of everyday life. If you spend these pleasure neurochemicals in one lump sum such as a crack binge, you use up your supply of pleasure for a certain period, and so you pay for it later.

Addicts vividly demonstrate a compulsive need to use alcohol and other drugs despite the worst kinds of consequencesarrest, illness, injury, overdose. What kind of euphoria could be worth such psychic pain? Even stranger, why continue when the drug no longers works as well as it once did due to tolerance? What makes these people eat their words, shred their best intentions, break their promises, and starting using or drinking again and again? 

There really is no cheating in this game. The system has to self-regulate. Craving and drug-seeking behavior, once set in motion, disrupt an individuals normal motivational hierarchy. How does this motivational express train come about? It happens at the point where casual experimentation is replaced by the pharmacological dictates of active addiction. It happens when the impulse to try it with your friends transforms itself into the drug-hungry monkey on your back.

 Formal medical treatment and intervention can work, but the results are inconsistent and often little better than no formal treatment at all. Most alcoholics and smokers and other drug addicts, it is frequently asserted, become abstinent on their own, going through detoxification, withdrawal, and subsequent cravings without benefit of any formal programs. Our health policy should not only encourage addicts to heal themselves, but must also help equip them with the medical tools they need in treatment. After all, behavioral habits as relatively harmless as nail biting can be all but impossible to break. 

 As Detailed  by Dr. Mary Jeanne Kreek, a professor and senior attending physician at the Laboratory of the Biology of Addictive Diseases at Rockefeller University:

Toxicity, destruction of previously formed synapses, formation of new synapses, enhancement or reduction of cognition and the development of specific memories of the drug of abuse, which are coupled with the conditioned cues for enhancing relapse to drug use, all have a role in addiction. And each of these provides numerous potential targets for pharmacotherapies for the future. 

In other words, when an addiction has been active for a sustained period, the first-line treatment of the future is likely to come in the form of a pill. New addiction treatments will comeand in many cases already do comein the form of drugs to treat drug addiction. Every day, addicts are quitting drugs and alcohol by availing themselves of pharmaceutical treatments that did not exist twenty years ago. Sometimes medications work, and we all need to reacquaint ourselves with that notion. As more of the biological substrate is teased out, the search for effective medications narrows along more fruitful avenues. This is the most promising, and, without doubt, the most controversial development in the history of addiction treatment. 

Fighting fire with fire is not without risk, of course. None of this is meant to deny the usefulness of talk therapy as an adjunct to treatment.  However, consider the risks involved in not finding more effective medical treatments. Better addiction treatment is, by almost any measure, a cost-effective proposition.
Source: http://ehealthforum.com/blogs/dirkh/the-future-of-addiction-treatment-b25699.html

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Beauty Secrets Of The Stars

It is true that many of the most attractive and famous people had gone through surgical treatments to maintain their young appearance.

They exercise with their personal trainers. They attend the finest beauty parlours (parlors) and regenerating health spas. They apply exotic skincare ointments. And they ask help of the best plastic surgeon.

Plastic (cosmetic) surgery can be as uncomplicated as a "lunchtime peel" or as complex as a full face lifting. Botox shots can wipe out "fine lines." Liposuction and Abdomino-plasty can reduce extra adipose tissue. You are able to slim down or magnify almost anything! But there's one beauty mystery that is not well known. It graces the most attractive part of the body. It makes spectacular transformations in one appointment with your doctor. It does not involve surgical procedure. As a matter of fact, you can stay awaken through the whole process. What is it? Cosmetic odontology.

While reconstructive surgery surely has its place, cosmetic odontology (dentistry) features its unique well-known advantages. It does not depend how beautiful the other features are, if the teeth are horrifying, no one's going to look much at rest of your facial beauty. Embellishing a smile gives instant satisfaction. The modifications to one's persona can be fabulous! A "cosmetic smile treatment" instantly improves self-confidence and self-pride. The recovery time is unimportant. You are able to eat with it, grin with it, speak with it and kiss with it!

Beyond visual aspect, cosmetic odontology has the unusual advantage of being able to increase one's health. So a lot of people avoiding much needed historical dental treatment that is related to their oral health. Several others have eroded their dentition to the point that their bite is inducing symptoms of problems such as headaches, muscular tissue pain, and even giddiness. Top cosmetic dental practitioners deal these problems. The icing on the cake is that you look your very best after treatment.


Source: http://timeshealth.blogspot.com/2012/01/beauty-secrets-of-stars.html

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Side Effects Of Radiation Therapy

After you undergo radiation therapy, you will most likely be able to witness a number of side effects. But their effect may vary for each person. Some people may have severe side effects while others can have very mild effects.
The effect of radiation therapy largely depends upon how often and for which body part the therapy is given.Those who receive chemotherapy, before, after or during radiation therapy, may have side effects that are more severe.

The side effects that are generally experienced after radiation therapy are:


Fatigue
Most patients experience fatigue during the course of therapy. But the degree of fatigue affects a person depending on his/her level of energy. Those who receive several weeks of treatment may experience fatigue frequently. For most patients undergoing radiation therapy, fatigue is mild.

However, your doctor will advise you to take proper rest and limit your activity. Try to get uninterrupted sleep at night and eat healthy nutritious diet to increase your energy level.

Skin Problems
During your treatment, you may go through some skin changes in the area that are exposed to radiation. The skin may appear red, sensitive and tanned just like sunburn. You may experience skin irritation and dryness of skin.
Depending on the dose of radiation, your skin may peel, become dry and itchy or you can even have blisters as radiation therapy damages healthy skin cells of the treatment area. Treated area should be cleaned gently with mild soap and water and pat dried with a soft towel.
Take special care of your skin during the therapy. Your doctor can prescribe special creams and gels for improving the condition of the skin. You must avoid scented body lotions and perfumes, and exposing the affected area directly to sun. Stay away from wearing tight fitting clothes. All this reactions on your skin are temporary and will subside gradually within 2-3 weeks after the completion of treatment.

Loss Of Appetite
Loss of appetite is quite common during radiation therapy which leads to fatigue and nutritional deficiencies. You have to take especial care of your diet. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables to get essential vitamins and nutrients. Eat small meals throughout the day to increase your energy level. Appetite will increase after the completion of treatment gradually.

There can be some other possible side effects, depending on the type of cancer you are suffering from and on which part of the body you are undergoing the treatment. Some of them are:

Hair Loss
Hair loss generally occurs when a person is treated for head or neck cancer and not for other parts of the body. But with higher dose of radiation, some people lose hair in clumps, which is very upsetting. Hair loss is mostly temporary.  After the end of the treatment, the hair usually grows back, though the texture and color of your hair may not be the same.

Hearing Problems
Some patients can experience temporary hearing problem due to hardening of the wax in their ears, if they receive therapy near the ear area. If you experience such difficulty, consult your physician.

Nausea or Vomiting
Few patients suffer from nausea and vomiting when they receive radiation therapy in combination with chemotherapy.

Decreases In Blood Count
Another possible side effect of radiation therapy can be lowering of platelets and white blood cells which make the immune system weak and vulnerable to bacteria and virus. So, regular tests should be done to check the blood counts.
Side effect of radiation therapy shows its effect according to the nature of treatment. For example, when a person receives therapy for neck and head there can be risk of dental problem such as cavities and radiation for pelvis can produce fertility problem. It is essential to ask your physician about the possible side effects and how to prevent them before going for radiation therapy.


Source: http://timeshealth.blogspot.com/2012/01/side-effects-of-radiation-therapy.html

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Get Fit Without Gym

Going to a gym may be the most common way of getting and staying in shape, but it certainly isn’t the only one. Sticking to a regular weekly gym workout no doubt has its benefits, but it isn’t practical for everyone. But what really matters is the commitment and motivation you contribute. Not everyone is a fan of the gym, so take a look at these tips for getting fit without hitting the treadmill. If you don’t have time to spare for a gym routine, or if it simply isn’t to your taste, take solace in the fact that there are other ways of getting fit. Before beginning any regular exercise regimen, you need to first ask yourself: what is my goal? This will not only give you a target to work towards – it will define what forms of exercise you need to incorporate into your routine to achieve the goal.

Skipping

Maybe you haven't tried it since school, but skipping is the easiest way to shape up... and it's free. It's a great way to burn body fat – and it's particularly good at shaping your legs, abdominals, arms and shoulders. Skipping is a high intensity exercise (there is a reason why lean boxers and followers of martial arts make it such an integral part of their training) and will provide you with top-to-toe fat burning. There's a good reason why boxers use this exercise as part of their training. You can burn up to 450 calories in a in a 45-minute workout. Skipping can be completed anywhere, so get outside in your garden or a park.

Running

Just like walking, running is the perfect gym-free workout because all it requires is a good pair of running shoes and some space. Whether it's around your neighborhood, at a park or on a track, running burns more calories than almost any other cardiovascular activity, and those who do it regularly claim that "runner's high" is a real-deal.

Swimming
Swimming exercises all the major muscle groups of the body as well as the heart and lungs, making it a great activity for overall fitness. It builds lung capacity, endurance and strength. It's also a great alternative to high-impact exercise like running and aerobics. Use this six-week swimming plan to get in shape. Thirty minutes of steady swimming can burn up to 200 to 300 calories. Try running in the water, climbing in and out or water aerobics, which is very popular especially for women swimmers. All are good fun and great calorie burners.

Cycling

Cycling increases aerobic fitness and tones the muscles of the legs and bottom. It’s a non-impact activity, which means that it places no stress on the joints of the knee, ankle, and back. Try cycling to work, which is kinder to the environment, instead of taking public transport or driving. Get fit with our six-week cycling plan for beginners.

Taking the stairs

In a study we found that the average adult is so unfit that they feel breathless after running up a flight of stairs, while 31 per cent are left gasping for breath after rushing to catch a bus. Walking a flight of stairs is an excellent way to prevent health problems that come with inactivity – including obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. It's easy to go a day without any physical activity, so incorporate taking the stairs in your daily regime rather than taking the elevator.

Walking

Why put yourself through hell in the gym when you can walk your way to fitness? Walking may not feel like the most intense exercise in the world, but just one hour of brisk walking can relieve you of an impressive 400 calories (compared to around 600-700 running). A pound of fat is equal to 3500 calories, so build an hour of walking into your daily routine and it won't be long before you notice your waistline going in the right direction. You could even try wearing a pair of MBT shoes or fitflops (you have saved money on the gym membership, after all) for extra toning.

Pop in a workout DVD
What could be better than a fitness regime that does not even involve leaving your house? As long as you have the right strategy, getting fit at home is much easier than you think. As with any exercise programme, you need to know what you are doing otherwise you might not see the desired results and could end up doing yourself a mischief. Ask a personal trainer to design a programme for you or buy a workout DVD. Running on the spot, skipping, press ups, squats - the exercises are the same, you just don't have to put up with overcrowding in the showers when you are done.

Circuit training
Circuit training is a great way to exercise because it incorporates cardiovascular fitness and bodyweight training at a level that you can choose yourself. You can devise your own circuits – a simple circuit routine might consist of push-ups, sit-ups, squats, chin-ups and lunges. So start by setting yourself some consecutive series of timed exercises indoors or out in the park.

Join Boot camp 
It will still cost you, but we guarantee that your money will be much better spent and you stand a greater chance of finely tuning your fitness if you sign up for boot camp sessions rather than enrolling at your local gym. Personal trainers across the country have realised that, because of the recession, they have to offer their customers an affordable alternative to one-on-one sessions. As a result there are suddenly boot camps everywhere. You'll be forced to get down and dirty. Get creative! Examples might include triceps dips on a park bench, seated squats up against a tree, pushups with your feet on a curb, sprints to a pond and back, and even hill repeats. No matter which exercises you choose, be sure to warm up with a 5-minute walk and cool down with some gentle stretching.

Play Outdoor Game
So few of us make time in our lives to just have fun and play. Whether it's engaging in a sport, playing an active video game or even just dancing around your living room, lighten up and do something active that you love. As long as you get your heart rate up you'll burn calories—and have a good time doing it.

Do Yoga
One of the best things about yoga is that you only need your body and a mat to do it. From online workouts that explain the poses to a variety of free yoga videos on YouTube, you can try any style of yoga without leaving your living room. You can even download workouts to your iPod and take your yoga practice outdoors! While yoga isn't known for its calorie burn, it is fantastic for flexibility and can be a muscle builder when doing more strenuous poses like plank. It's also a wonderful stress reducer.

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Diet Affect Cardiovascular Health

One of the top assassins in America is of the heart and blood system disease, or disease related to the blood vessels of your heart. There are many types of of the heart and blood system diseases that are responsible for death. of the heart and blood system disease is responsible for more American fatalities than stick cigarette.

 It is a wonder that so many people die from of the heart and blood system disease, yet for many the chances of dying from it could have been reduced by two things: diet and exercise.

The heart's Blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body are the vessels that carry blood to the body, while the Blood vessels that carry oxygen depleted blood from the body to the heart make the return trip. Blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body and Blood vessels that carry oxygen depleted blood from the body to the heart need oxygen and a clear path to carry out their circulatory function. If there is anything that gets in the way of their paths or causes the vessels' walls to harden, the heart must pump harder and harder to get the blood going, creating not necessary strain.

With coronary heart disease, the leading cause of heart attacks, plaque forms along the of the heart and blood system walls and restricts the blood flow. The heart becomes overtaxed and some parts fail, causing a heart attack. So how does this deadly plaque form? It can be from the foods that you eat.

Cardiovascular Health
When you eat foods high in saturated big boned, you introduce damaging fats and oils and "bad" cholesterol (LDL) to the blood. Those fats and oils and cholesterol tear at your Blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body. White blood cells try to get rid of the fats and oils. unluckily, platelets try to help by causing a "clot," thinking the body is losing blood from the tear.

When the platelets, white blood cells, Low-density Lipoprotein cholesterol and fats and oils get together along with those thorn a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart muscle fibers, they form plaque. Over time this plaque builds up to the point where your heart is strained.

Foods For Healthy Heart
Although saturated fats are part of a diet that can negatively alter of the heart and blood system health, there are healthful foods that can put a positive spin on your heart's vessels. investigate shows that dark chocolates, nuts and wines are foods that reduce Low-density Lipoprotein cholesterol. eating foods that are high in Omega-3 filled with fat acids are another great way to keep your blood vessels in shape.

Foods that contain Omega-3-like filled with fat fish- introduce acids that reduce fats in the blood vessels. Canola oil, soy foods and leafy vegetables also contain good Omega-3 levels. Although it is suggested that raising your good cholesterol (HDL) fights of the heart and blood system disease, there is no actual foods that have been using Science proven to raise HDL.

With a combination of moderate exercise and a good diet, you can prevent yourself from becoming a victim to one of America's top assassins.

The Omega-3 is called an essential acid, it is something the body requirements but can not generate, so it must come from nourishment products. Heart benefits of Omega-3 include reduced heart rate and lowered blood pressure. Low big boned proteins like lean cuts of red steak and fish products are important because these protein sources have less cholesterol and less bad fats than other cuts.


Source: http://timeshealth.blogspot.com/2012/02/diet-affect-cardiovascular-health.html

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The importance of breakfast

Everyone knows that the key to successful weight loss is a combination of regular exercise, healthy eating and a positive mind. There’s no point working out five days a week if you’re going to give in to temptation and inhale three kebabs and a packet of Hobnobs when you get home.

Healthy eating doesn’t necessarily mean dieting, it refers instead to eating sensible, balanced amounts of the right foods at the right times – and that includes a good breakfast.

There’s a reason why people have said for many years that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”. After six, seven or eight hours – if you’re lucky – of sleep, your body and brain need some fuel to power and prepare them for the day ahead. Like a car, you can’t run on an empty tank, you need some petrol.

It’s a well known fact that people who eat breakfast lose more weight than people who don’t and this is due to several reasons:

1. Breakfast provides the energy your body requires in order to perform activities. Therefore, you’re not so tired and can do more.
2. It kickstarts the body into producing the enzymes needed to metabolise fat, helping to shed the pounds.
3. Eating a good breakfast keeps you full for longer and may make you less likely to reach for elevenses.

In addition, breakfast is generally good for you. Those who eat breakfast are 50 per cent less likely, according to US researchers, to have blood sugar problems. Consequently, they have a decreased risk of developing diabetes or having high cholesterol levels which could lead to heart disease. Also, some breakfast foods such as grains, seeds and dried fruit provide vitamins and minerals that are hard to find in other foods.

People who don’t eat breakfast often complain that it’s “too early” to eat or that they don’t have time in the morning. Paltry excuses! Ways to rectify this include not eating too late the evening before, going to bed earlier or eating breakfast on the train/ bus on the way to work.

Who wouldn't want to eat breakfast with such an array of delicious morning munchies options available? Uninspired? Try some of these:

Make your own muesli by toasting some oats, then adding seeds, nuts and fruit as desired. Slice a banana on top, garnish with blueberries and pour on some yoghurt. This high fibre option will keep you full until lunchtime and the nutrients derived from the seeds, nuts and fruit will do all sorts of good.

Alternatively, how about blasting lots of lovely fruit up into a smoothie, which you could drink on the way to work? Smoothies are far more filling than you might imagine and allow you to be really creative. Experiment with flavour combinations, thin out a little with water, milk, fruit juice or low-fat yoghurt and enjoy.

For traditionalists, two slices of wholemeal or granary bread with a scraping of butter and some Marmite or a bowl of whole-grain cereal is fine. Top with honey or dried fruit for sugar and splash over some semi-or skimmed milk to reduce the refined sugar and fat content.

To say breakfast is the “most important” meal of the day underplays how significant it really is. Providing energy, nutrients and warding off chronic conditions, can you really afford not to eat it?

Source: http://www.fitnessfirst.co.uk/learn-about-fitness/healthy-eating/the_importance_of_

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Cocaine. Also called: Blow, C, Coke, Crack, Flake, Snow

Cocaine is a powerful drug that stimulates the brain. People who use it can form a strong addiction. They may have to use more and more of the drug to get high. It's sold on the street as a fine, white powder. There are two forms of cocaine: hydrochloride salt and freebase. The salt dissolves in water. People can take it in a vein or in the nose. The freebase form can be smoked. Crack is the street name of a smokable form of cocaine.
Heart problems, including heart attacks
Respiratory effects, including respiratory failure
Nervous system problems, including strokes
Digestive problems
Any of these can be fatal. Using cocaine with alcohol is a common cause of drug-related death.


Source: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cocaine.html

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How to Lose Weight Fast

A lot of people want to lose weight for many different reasons. Some may be due to health reasons while some of them just wanted to look better and be fit in every dress they wear. But no matter what your reason is, know that one thing is certainly common about everyone’s goal on weight loss. All of them want to lose those unwanted weight and fats fast.  This question is the common denominator of all weight loss dreamers.

How to lose weight fast?

In order to help you achieve your desired weight, here are some ways, tips and advices on how to lose weight fast.

If you are serious about losing weight, I suggest you check out the Diet solution program.

You should first possess the needed confidence.  You should make yourself believe that you can do it.   Having the confidence and believing in yourself that you can lose weight in no time will help you hold on to your goal of losing weight and keep yourself motivated about your plan.

Be consistent and stay disciplined.  You need to be consistent in sticking with your planned diet whether it is menu plans or workout schedules.  So when you feel like giving up, just think about the things you have already sacrificed after all plus the benefits of achieving that body figure you desire.

Set a possible goal.  Most of weight loss dreamers are setting goals that are beyond their means.  Setting an unachievable goal will just make you feel tired of reaching it and eventually you will end up giving up.  Take it one step at a time. Make a ladder of success.

Start by listing down your regular daily caloric intake and start from there.  Gradually trim down your calorie intake until such time that you are only eating the low calorie foods unconsciously.

Aside from gradually trimming down the number of calories, you may also abruptly remove the food which you think is contributing mostly only calories and fats.

Plan your daily meals.  One effective way on how to lose weight fast is to know exactly what you eat.  Meals for people who are trying to lose weight need not to be boring and tasteless.  You may go over healthy recipe books or download some of the low calorie recipes online.

Watch the serving size of your food.  Eat only until you are full and not until you are satisfied.  Easting until you are perfectly satisfied may cause you to eat more since your cravings are still not pleased.  Eat only until your tummy says it enough.  Then every week try to lessen the serving size of your food then your usual serving until your stomach gets used to eating in small portions.

You may not totally remove snacks, but eat the healthy ones.  Eat fruits or whole wheat foods like bran or wheat bread.

Drink approximately ten (10) glasses of eight (8) ounces of water each day.

Exercise, exercise and exercise.  This is the most important thing to do if you are dying to lose that extra baggage.

How To Lose Weight Fast Information

Are you looking for How To Lose Weight Fast?  If so, then here you can read more about How To Lose Weight Fast.   How To Lose Weight Fast has been a very popular topic lately and so a lot of people have been searching for How To Lose Weight Fast information.  Take some time to read our information on How To Lose Weight Fast.  Be sure to do proper research on How To Lose Weight Fast to get all the details you need to know.

Here are two quick tips so that you can start losing weight right away.

First – Drink lots of water.  Try to drink 6 -8 cups of water everyday or more if you are a bigger person.

Second – Do a physical activity everyday for an hour.  It can be as simple as going for a walk, jogging, or playing a sport.

Third – Eat fruits, vegetables and protein everyday.  Avoid foods with a lot of calories.

Source: http://www.howtoloseweightfastb.com/

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Medication for High Blood Pressure

This leaflet is about medicines that are used to treat high blood pressure. A separate leaflet called 'High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)' gives more general information about high blood pressure, lifestyle changes that you can do to lower blood pressure, and the reasons why medication is advised to lower blood pressure in some cases.

What is the aim of treatment?

Your doctor or practice nurse will advise on the target blood pressure level to aim for. It can vary from person to person. In general:

For most people aged under 80 years, the usual target is to reduce blood pressure to 140/90 mm Hg or below in the surgery or clinic, or below 135/85 mm Hg when measured at home. For older patients the target may be set slightly higher (less than 150/90 mm Hg in the surgery or clinic, or below 145/85 mm Hg when measured at home).

In some people, the target is to get it below 130/80 mm Hg. For example, if you have a cardiovascular disease such as a stroke or heart disease, if you have certain kidney diseases, and for some people with diabetes.

Which medicines are used to lower blood pressure?

There are five main classes of medicines that are used to lower blood pressure. There are various types and brands of medicine in each class. The following gives a brief overview of each of the classes. However, for detailed information about your own medication you should read the leaflet that comes inside the medicines packet.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

These medicines work by reducing the amount of a chemical that you make in your bloodstream, called angiotensin II. This chemical tends to constrict (narrow) blood vessels. Therefore, less of this chemical causes the blood vessels to relax and widen, and so the pressure of blood within the blood vessels is reduced.

There are various types and brands of ACE inhibitors. For example, captopril, cilazapril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, and trandolapril. An ACE inhibitor is particularly useful if you also have heart failure or diabetes. ACE inhibitors should not be taken by people with certain types of kidney problems, people with some types of artery problems, and if you are pregnant. You will need a blood test before starting an ACE inhibitor to check that your kidneys are working well. The blood test is repeated within two weeks after starting the medicine, and within two weeks after any increase in dose. Then, a yearly blood test is usual.

Angiotensin receptor blockers

These medicines are sometimes called angiotensin-II receptor antagonists. There are various types and brands. For example, candesartan, eprosartan, irbesartan, losartan, olmesartan, telmisartan and valsartan. They work by blocking the effect of angiotensin II on the blood vessel walls. So, they have a similar effect to ACE inhibitors (described above).

Calcium-channel blockers

These medicines affect the way calcium is used in the blood vessels and heart muscle. This has a relaxing effect on the blood vessels. Again, there are various types and brands. For example, amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, isradipine, lacidipine, lercanidipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, nisoldipine, and verapamil. Calcium-channel blockers can also be used to treat angina.

Diuretics (water tablets)

Diuretics work by increasing the amount of salt and fluid that you pass out in your urine. This has some effect on reducing the fluid in the circulation, which reduces blood pressure. They may also have a relaxing effect on the blood vessels, which reduces the pressure within the blood vessels. The most commonly used diuretics to treat high blood pressure in the UK are thiazides or thiazide-like diuretics. Examples are bendroflumethiazide, chlorothiazide, chlortalidone, cyclopenthiazide, hydrochlorothiazide and indapamide. Only a low dose of a diuretic is needed to treat high blood pressure. Therefore, you will not notice much diuretic effect (that is, you will not pass much extra urine). You will need a blood test before starting a diuretic, to check that your kidneys are working well. You should also have a blood test within 4-6 weeks of starting treatment with a diuretic, to check that your blood potassium has not been affected. Then, a yearly blood test is usual.

Beta-blockers

Again, there are various types and brands. For example, acebutolol, atenolol, bisoprolol, metoprolol, oxprenolol, pindolol, propranolol, sotalol, and timolol. They work by slowing the heart rate, and reducing the force of the heart. These actions lower the blood pressure. Beta-blockers are also commonly used to treat angina, and some other conditions. You should not normally take a beta-blocker if you have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or certain types of heart or blood vessel problems.

What about side-effects?

All medicines have possible side-effects, and no medicine is without risk. However, most people who take medicines to lower blood pressure do not develop any side-effects, or only have mild side-effects. A full list of cautions and possible side-effects is listed on the leaflet inside the medicine packet. The most common ones are:

ACE inhibitors - sometimes cause an irritating cough.

Angiotensin receptor blockers - sometimes cause dizziness.

Calcium-channel blockers - sometimes cause dizziness, facial flushing, swollen ankles, and constipation.

Diuretics - can cause gout attacks in a small number of users, or can make gout worse if you already have gout. Impotence develops in some users.

Beta-blockers - can cause cool hands and feet, poor sleep, tiredness, and impotence in some users.

If you do develop a side-effect, a different medicine may suit you better. There is a lot of choice so one can usually be found to suit. See your doctor if you develop any problem which you think is due to your medication.

Other medicines for high blood pressure

Apart from the five main classes of medicines listed above, sometimes other medicines are used to lower blood pressure. For example, methyldopa or alpha-blockers are sometimes used if there are problems with the more commonly used medicines.

Combinations of medicines

One medicine can reduce high blood pressure to the target level in less than half of cases. It is common to need two or more different medicines to reduce high blood pressure to a target level. In about a third of cases, three medicines or more are needed to get blood pressure to the target level. So, for example, you may need an ACE inhibitor plus a calcium-channel blocker (and sometimes also another medicine) to control your blood pressure. This is just an example, and various combinations of medicines can be used.

In some cases, despite treatment, the target level is not reached. However, although to reach a target level is ideal, you will gain benefit from any reduction of high blood pressure.

So, which is the best medicine or combination of medicines?

The one or ones chosen may depend on such things as: if you have other medical problems; your ethnic origin; if you take other medication; possible side-effects; your age; etc.

For example: beta-blockers and calcium-channel blockers can also treat angina; ACE inhibitors also treat heart failure; some medicines are not suitable if you are pregnant; some are thought to be better if you have diabetes; some tend to work better than others in people of Afro-Caribbean origin; etc.

If you do not have any other medical problems that warrant a particular medicine, then current UK guidelines give the following recommendations as to usual medicines that should be used. These recommendations are based on treatments and combinations of treatments that are likely to give the best control of the blood pressure with the least risk of side-effects or problems.

Treatment is guided by the A/C, A+C, A+C+D approach as follows:

If you are less than 55 years old and are not of black African or Caribbean origin then initial treatment should be with 'A' (an ACE inhibitor, or an angiotensin receptor blocker if an ACE inhibitor causes problems or side-effects).

If you are 55 years or older, or are of black African or Caribbean origin then initial treatment should be with 'C' (a calcium-channel blocker).

Then, if the target blood pressure is not reached, combine 'A' with 'C' (an ACE inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker plus a calcium-channel blocker).

Then, if target blood pressure is still not reached, combine 'A' with 'C' and 'D' (an ACE inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker, and a calcium-channel blocker, and a diuretic).

If a fourth medicine is needed to achieve the target blood pressure, consider adding of one of the following:

A beta-blocker

Another diuretic

An alpha-blocker

However, individuals can vary. Sometimes, if one medicine does not work so well or causes side-effects, a switch to a different class of medicine may work fine.

How long is medication for high blood pressure needed for?

In most cases, medication is needed for life. However, in some people whose blood pressure has been well-controlled for three years or more, medication may be able to be stopped. In particular, in people who have made significant changes to lifestyle which can affect blood pressure (such as lost a lot of weight, or stopped heavy drinking, etc). Your doctor can advise. If you stop medication, you need regular blood pressure checks. In some cases, the blood pressure remains normal. However, in others it starts to rise again. Medication can then be started again.

Source :http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Medication-for-High-Blood-Pressure.htm

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