Hypertension is a common clinical disease, which is more common in the elderly, obese, excessive drinkers, high sodium diet, and those with a family history. How much do you know about the traditional Chinese medicine treatment of hypertension? What are the Western medicine treatment methods for hypertension?
1、 Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Hypertension
(1) Drug Treatment
Firstly, blood stasis type. This type of syndrome is usually accompanied by symptoms such as restlessness, chest tightness, fatigue and weakness, bitter mouth and dry throat. Treatment should mainly focus on promoting blood circulation and opening the orifices. It is recommended to use Danshen Yin, Xuefu Zhuyu Tang, etc.
Secondly, liver yang hyperactivity type. This type of syndrome is usually accompanied by symptoms such as insomnia, dry and bitter mouth, red face, and impatience. Treatment should mainly focus on calming the liver and suppressing yang, and it is recommended to use Longdan Xiegan Wan, Tianma Gouteng Yin, etc.
Thirdly, liver and kidney yin deficiency type. This type of syndrome is usually accompanied by symptoms such as tinnitus, irritability, insomnia, and fever in the hands and feet. Treatment should focus on nourishing the liver and kidneys, and it is recommended to use Qiju Dihuang Pills, Liuwei Dihuang Decoction, etc. to reduce symptoms.
Fourth, phlegm dampness resistance type. This type of syndrome is usually accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal distension, vomiting, dizziness, headache, and limb numbness. Treatment should mainly focus on resolving phlegm and dampness, and it is recommended to use Zhen Gan Yi Yin Tang, Ban Xia Tian Ma Bai Zhu Tang, etc.
Fifth, the Yin Yang deficiency type. This type of syndrome is usually accompanied by symptoms such as nocturia, shortness of breath, palpitations, memory loss, and facial and lower limb edema. Treatment should mainly focus on warming yang and nourishing yin, and it is recommended to use modified Zuo Gui Wan and Di Huang Yin Zi.
（2） Acupuncture and moxibustion
Select appropriate acupuncture techniques to select acupoints based on syndrome differentiation. Frequently selected acupoints include Fengchi, Quchi, Taichong, Zusanli, etc., which can alleviate clinical symptoms and restore normal blood pressure.
（3） Guasha often uses acupoints such as Baihui, Fengchi, Quchi, Zusanli, etc., which can stimulate meridians, promote blood circulation, and lower blood pressure.
（4） Blood pressure reducing pillow therapy
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that hypertension belongs to the heat syndrome, and gypsum induced coldness. Using gypsum pillows has the effects of relieving muscle sweating, dispelling fever, and relieving heat. It can treat cold and heat in stroke, relieve headaches and toothache, and relieve dry mouth and tongue. Long term use is beneficial for patients to effectively control blood pressure and gradually reduce it to normal levels.
2、 Western medicine treatment for hypertension
(1) General treatment
Pay attention to rest, maintain a regular schedule, avoid staying up late, avoid overwork, avoid high-intensity work, balance work and rest, and ensure sufficient sleep and rest time.
（2） Drug therapy.
Firstly, diuretics. Such as furosemide, thiazide, etc., are suitable for elderly people, obese individuals, those with heart or kidney dysfunction, and can promote kidney drainage and sodium excretion, reduce body fluid volume, and lower blood pressure. Among them, thiazide is the most widely used, including indapamide, dihydrochlorothiazide, etc., which are the preferred drugs for treating hypertension. However, when using them, attention should be paid to adding potassium supplements or using diuretics with no potassium excretion function or potassium retention function.
Secondly, calcium antagonists. There are short acting and long-acting drugs such as verapamil and nitrendipine, but because short acting calcium antagonists can easily increase the risk of death from heart attack in patients, it is generally recommended that patients choose long-acting calcium antagonists with longer half lives such as nifedipine or short acting calcium antagonists such as nifedipine controlled-release tablets.
Thirdly, vasodilators. Such as Long Pressure Ding, Nitroprusside Sodium, etc., can relax vascular smooth muscle, dilate blood vessels, and lower blood pressure.
Fourth, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Examples such as enalapril and mercaptoprolol are suitable for individuals who experience sexual dysfunction due to the use of other types of antihypertensive drugs, but are not recommended for pregnant women or those with bilateral renal artery stenosis.
Fifth, antihypertensive drugs that act on the sympathetic nervous system. Including: (1) sympathetic ganglion blockers such as Alphenate; (2) Post ganglionic blockers of sympathetic nervous system, such as those that promote blood circulation; (3) Central nervous system depressants such as Kolanin; (4) Adrenergic receptor blockers such as acetyl CoA.
In short, hypertension is a common condition, and due to its significant impact on patients' quality of life, it is necessary to actively seek treatment through traditional Chinese medicine or Western medicine.