Treating anxiety without medication
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Jan 27 2010
Q: I am prone to anxiety. What is the best way to help it without medication? Also, every time I go to the gynecologist, my blood pressure is sky high even though I take Inderal 60 mg on a daily basis. What helps white coat syndrome?
A: Exercise. Regular exercise has been shown to reduce anxiety and is good for your heart. Most of us don’t make time in our lives for enough exercise. Shorts bursts of exercise scattered throughout the day are effective. Thinking it takes an hour long session to get results is wrong. Do what you can when you have some time. Ten minutes here and there can really make a difference. Learning to control your anxiety especially that is associated with a doctor visit can help with white coat syndrome. Wikkipedia offers a good discussion of the topic. Click here.
Tags: anxiety, Anxiety & Stress, blood pressure, Diet & Exercise, doctor visit, exercise, hypertension, inderal, medication, white coat syndrome, wikkipediaHypertension and anxiety
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Dec 14 2009
Q: How do I know when I’m dealing with true hypertension rather than anxiety? Which indicates anxiety: diastolic or systolic or both?
A: If your blood pressure is high on more than one measurement, either systolic or diastolic, you have true hypertension. Hypertension needs treatments even if anxiety is playing a factor. Stress can elevate both systolic and diastolic pressure.
Tags: anxiety, Anxiety & Stress, blood pressure, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, diastolic, hypertension, stress, systolic, systolic and diastolic pressureLifestyle modifications to lower stress and BP
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Dec 02 2009
Q: I’m 48 years old and have had issues with stress and anxiety for the past 10 years. As a result, my BP has been creeping up over the years from an average of 115/70 a few years ago to an average of 135/80 these past few months. I am in excellent health otherwise and very fit. At my doctor’s advice, I am finally starting stress reduction techniques like breathing exercises, yoga, and counseling this week. He’s giving me 60 days to try to decrease it without medication. Is there any chance that I’ve permanently “reset” my BP so that it will never go down again without meds, or is it possible to get it back down to where it was without meds?
A: It is possible to get your blood pressure in control without medication. This is why your doctor is encouraging a trial of lifestyle modification. You might also want to consider use of the RESPeRATE. It has been clinically proven to lower blood pressure without side effects. Personally, I find it very soothing and relaxing to use.
Tags: Anxiety & Stress, Breathing, breathing exercises, health, lifestyle modification, lifestyle modifications, lower blood pressure, RESPeRATE, stress and anxiety, stress reduction techniques, yogaRelationship between hypertension and anxiety
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Oct 22 2009
Q: Is high blood pressure and anxiety related? What is the best medication for high blood pressure and for anxiety?
A: High blood pressure is related to anxiety and stress. Regular exercise helps lower stress and blood pressure. In my opinion, having a regular exercise program is the best treatment for high blood pressure and anxiety. Unfortunately, sometimes a regular exercise program isn’t enough. Based on your medical history and exam findings, your doctor should know the best drug treatment for you.
Tags: anxiety, Anxiety & Stress, Diet & Exercise, exercise program, high blood pressure, hypertension, stressAfraid of medication
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Aug 17 2009
Q: I am supposed to take the blood pressure medicine lotrel, well I haven’t started it yet. I’m kind of scared of medicine. Also I have anxiety, stress, and panic disorder. What are some things that could possibly help me overcome these problems?
A: Talk to your doctor about your problems and concerns. You may need to see a mental health provider. Ask your doctor about the RESPeRATE. It is very soothing to use so it might help with your anxiety in addition to helping lower your blood pressure.
Tags: anxiety, Anxiety & Stress, blood pressure, blood pressure medicine, hypertension, lotrel, medication, medicine, panic disorder, RESPeRATE, stressRESPeRATE and relaxation
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Jun 03 2009
Q: Is it advantageous to use the Resperate for non-high blood pressure issues? My son (age 21) has problems falling asleep and once he is asleep, he wakes up often.
A: The RESPeRATE is not harmful to use. It does not have side effects. Your son may find it very soothing to use, as it is indicated as a relaxation treatment for the reduction of stress. Many people report they sleep better with RESPeRATE use. My children have used the RESPeRATE to lower anxiety associated with taking major tests.
Tags: anxiety, Anxiety & Stress, high blood pressure, Misc, relaxation, RESPeRATE, side effect, side effects, SleepFear of measuring BP
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: May 11 2009
Q: I take Nadolol 20 mg once a day. My BP is high when I go to the doctor all the time, 150/100. My heart rate is generally in the 60s. I am afraid to take my blood pressure at home in fear that it is high. What can I do to get my fear of ‘the machine’ so that I can track my pressure at home. Will the Resperate system help with this?
A: The RESPeRATE is very soothing to use because of the personalized music that is generated. It is cleared for sale as a stress-reduction device. Focusing on the device melody certainly could serve as a distraction while monitoring your blood pressure. In addition regular use of the device can help keep your blood pressure in control. It is a good idea to take your blood pressure 2-3 times when monitoring to get an average reading.
Tags: Anxiety & Stress, blood pressure, fear, heart rate, Measuring Your BP, nadolol, stress reductionBlood pressure increased by stress and age
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Jan 14 2009
Q: My blood pressure has always been around 120/70. I am 70 years old and in great health, don’t take any medication and exercise moderately. Last year we lost our child and grandson in an automobile accident. My BP is now running around 140-150/80. Will this return to normal as time passes or is this rise a permanent one that needs attention and medication?
A: It is every parent’s worse nightmare to outlive their children. Please accept my condolences. Your blood pressure is in the range where treatment is recommended. Systolic pressure goes up as a natural part of aging so it is unlikely this will go away. I suggest you consult with your doctor about the best treatment for you. RESPeRATE is a drug-free option to consider.
Tags: Anxiety & Stress, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, drug-free, systolicAnxiety and relaxation
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Jan 11 2009
Q: I do not have high blood pressure, but I do have trouble with anxiety that started after a tragic accident. I have taken zoloft for the last 8 years up to 150 mg daily now. How can I get to the point where I no longer need the zoloft or any other drug to ease the anxiety?
A: It sounds like you need to put the accident behind you and move on with your life. You can’t change the past but you can affect the future. A regular exercise program combined with relaxation techniques such as mindfulness can go a long way in helping to ease anxiety. Click here to locate a program near you. You may be interested to know that RESPeRATE is also indicated for the reduction of stress.
Tags: anxiety, Anxiety & Stress, mindfulness, stress reduction, zoloftRESPeRATE, paced breathing and migraines
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Jan 11 2009
Q: While the RESPeRATE is marketed for lowering blood pressure, will it also work as a bio-feedback device? I am thinking of using it in terms of relaxation techniques for reduction of chronic migraine.
A: In his book, Chronic Headaches, Jonothan Borkum includes slow paced breathing as a technique to help treat chronic headaches. The RESPeRATE is a device that guides and slows breathing so it is likely it would be helpful although studies with the device have focused on hypertension. You may be interested to know that RESPeRATE is also indicated for the reduction of stress. The RESPeRATE forum includes postings regarding the experience of RESPeRATE users who suffer from migraines.
Tags: Anxiety & Stress, biofeedback, Jonothan Borkum, Medical Conditions, migraine, paced breathing, relaxation
