Introduction
Yoga Nidra (Yoga Sleep) is a term used to represent the state in which an individual exhibits all the symptoms of a deep non-REM sleep, remaining fully conscious(1). PET studies have shown that the brain activities during Yoga Nidra is unique in the sense that it can be called as the “fourth state of mind"(2). Yoga Nidra had been traditionally used in yoga practices to bring the subject into a state of deep relaxation. Studies have shown that practice of Yoga Nidra reduces Sympathetic Activity from baseline levels(3) and a shift in heart rate variability suggestive of parasympathetic(4) improvement. Since the autonomic regulation constitute a major part in the regulation of blood pressure(5), it is safe to assume that Yoga Nidra can bring about changes in blood pressure. In addition to this, there are studies that prove that Yoga Nidra increased mindfulness(6) and mindfulness based stress reductions do reduce the systolic blood pressure by 4-8 mmHg in Pre-Hypertensives(7).
The prevalence of Essential Hypertension in India is on the increase. It is presently 25%-40% among urban adults and 10-15% among rural adults(8) and if this is not taken care of it can lead to various complications in the society. The JNC 8 Guidelines for Management of Essential Hypertension recommends lifestyle modifications as the first step in intervention and management of Essential Hypertension(9). Hence Yoga Nidra can be considered as an ideal additive in the regimen for combating diseases like Essential Hypertension. But so far no relevant study had been done, that examines the effect of Yoga Nidra on blood pressure of individuals. So the present study aims at examining the effect of Yoga Nidra on Blood Pressure of Pre-Hypertensive adults ...
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8. Gupta R, Guptha S, Sharma KK, Gupta A, Deedwania P. Regional variations in cardiovascular risk factors in India: India heart watch. World J Cardiol. 2012 Apr 26;4(4):112–20.
9. James PA, Oparil S, Carter BL, et al. 2014 evidence-based guideline for the management of high blood pressure in adults: Report from the panel members appointed to the eighth joint national committee (jnc 8). JAMA [Internet]. 2013 Dec 18 [cited 2014 Jan 25]; Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2013.284427
10. Chobanian AV, Bakris GL, Black HR, Cushman WC, Green LA, Izzo JL, et al. Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. Hypertension. 2003 Dec 1;42(6):1206–52.
11. Cahn BR, Polich J. Meditation states and traits: EEG, ERP, and neuroimaging studies. Psychol Bull. 2006 Mar;132(2):180–211.
In some studies, CAM approaches have shown potential for controlling hypertension, but more research needs to be done to show the safety and effectiveness. Some herbs and supplements show evidence of lowering blood pressure. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish, some nuts and vegetables, and supplements. Research shows that they can decrease triglycerides (the major form of fat stored in the body), slow the buildup of fatty deposits inside arteries, decrease the risk of abnormal heartbeats, and lower blood pressure slightly (Hirsch). Coenzyme-Q10 is produced by the body and is also available in supplements, there is good scientific evidence that coenzyme Q-10 does lower blood pressure (Hirsch). Furthermore, Garlic contains sulfur that has a positive effect on cholesterol levels, which could lower blood pressure levels. Cocoa products and dark chocolate are rich in antioxidants. A study shows that when people with high blood pressure consumed cocoa twice daily for two weeks, it improved the ability of artery walls to relax but did not lower blood pressure significantly (Hirsch). A patient who is taking alternative medicines needs to let their physician know because some herbs and supplements will interact with other medication. Relaxation techniques help relax the body and reduce stress, which could help with blood pressure.
As early as the 1800s clinicians began to take a closer look at elevated blood pressure levels, they soon found high correlation between hypertension, stroke, and other heart diseases. They also established that high levels of blood pressure effected both privilege and underprivileged, and within the years they have noted the disease have become more prevalent in the African American culture. Long term studies, such as randomized controlled trial studies, unveiled
Streeter, C. C., Gerbarg, P. L., Saper, R. B., Ciraulo, D. A., & Brown, R. P. (2012). Effects of yoga on the autonomic nervous system, gamma-aminobutyric-acid, and allostasis in epilepsy, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Medical hypotheses, 78(5), 571-579.
There are five studies which investigated individuals who meditate and physiological changes with their bodies. These studies mainly focused on parasympathetic and sympathetic activities, cardiovascular activities, and immune activities. Most of the research has centered in investigating the nervous system itself.
High blood pressure is called the “silent killer” because it often has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people don’t know they have it. For most patients, high blood pressure is found when they visit their health care provider or have it checked elsewhere. Because there are no symptoms, people can develop heart disease and kidney problems without knowing they have high blood pressure. Some people may experience: bad headache, mild dizziness, and blurry vision. Traditionally, diagnosis of high blood pressure (BP) has relied on consecutive checks of clinic BP over a 2 to 3 month period, with hypertension confirmed if BP remains persistently raised over 140/90 mmHg. This method of diagnosis has significant limitations because the BP measured for an individual patient in a clinic setting may not reflect their BP in day-to-day life. The main concern is that as a result of the “white coat syndrome”, hypertension may be over-diagnosed when checked in the clinic setting; resulting ...
The causes of hypertension are unknown. However; hypertension can be classified into two categories primary and secondary. Primary (essential) hypertension is increas...
Tomson, J., & Lip, G. Y. H. (2005). Blood pressure demographics: Nature or nurture … … genes or environment? BMC Medicine, 3, 3-4. doi:10.1186/1741-7015-3-3
" Journal of Clinical Hypertension 13.5 (2011): 351-56. EBSOHost.com - a. Web. The Web.
Western medicine has recently discovered the powerful affects of meditation, by allowing doctors to treat the body and the mind. In reality, the mind is a very misunderstood and unexplored region of the human existence. Modern science knows more about the composition of the earth than it does about the mechanics of the human brain. Yet, meditation thwarts all notions of modern medicine with its shocking ability to to take obscure visualizations and create physical responses in the body. Mahayana Buddhism, found mainly in the autonomous region of Tibet, has become the main reference and standard for meditation practices in the west. Tibetans have used meditation for centuries as treatment for illness, and now, modern medicine of the western world is just beginning to reap the benefits of this unique and unconventional treatment for a variety of physical and mental ailments. Once a practice reserved strictly for Buddhist monks, meditation has become a worldwide phenomenon. Simply enter “Buddhist meditation” into the any Inter...
Hypertension, a complex multifactorial and polygenic disorder, is a major silent disease affecting young people because of their hereditary and modern lifestyles and it is a major modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. 1 A positive parental history represents a major risk factor for future hypertension in normotensive offspring.2 Several studies have been conducted in the offspring of hypertensive to find the role of genetic and environmental factors in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension. Cultural, social, physical environments and high dietary intake of salt could further increase the tendency to become hypertensive.3 The autonomic nervous system plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of essential arterial hypertension. Many offspring of hypertensive parents show early changes in their autonomic functions.4 Autonomic abnormality in the form of increased sympathetic tone and early attenuated parasympathetic activity has been demonstrated in young normotensive with parental history of hypertension.5 Another risk factor, obesity is a rapidly growing threat to the healthy population and it is on rise in our society due to socioeconomic developments leading to sedentary life style and faulty dietary habits.6 Weight gain in adolescence and in young adults is one of the potential risk factors for the subsequent development of hypertension. A study on Indian obese young adults demonstrates an autonomic dysregulation in obese subjects.7 A short term Heart Rate Variability (HRV) indices offers a noninvasive, quantitative method of investigating autonomic effects on the heart.8
Cardiovascular disease is currently the nation’s leading non-communicable cause of morbidity and mortality. According to the American Heart Association, the most common form of cardiovascular disease is coronary artery disease, a condition in which the heart’s blood supply is reduced due to a narrowing of the coronary arteries. These arteries play a significant role in regulating the flow of oxygenated blood to the heart. As blood circulates through the arteries, it exerts a force against the vessel walls, known as blood pressure. To withstand this pressure, elastic fibers interspersed along the artery walls allow the arteries to expand and recoil. Abnormally high blood pressure, however, will cause these muscles to thicken as a result of tears in the damaged artery walls trapping particles that aggregate as plaque. Progressive build-up of plaque ultimately leads to a narrowing of the arteries, subsequently diminishing blood flow to the heart and other body organs. This cascade of events triggered by high blood pressure illustrates why hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Affecting 1 in every 3 adults in the United States alone, hypertension substantially raises the risk for heart disease in an affected individual who, most likely, does not show any signs or symptoms. In addition to the risks associated with this “silent killer,” comorbidities such as obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol can drastically worsen health outcomes in hypertensive patients. Given the high prevalence and severe consequences of hypertension if undetected, researching this particular topic will increase our understanding of the causes of hypertension by identifying and narrowing down lead candidates for pot...
WILLIAMS, P and POULTER NR et al (2004) Guidelines for management of hypertension: report of the fourth working party of the British Hypertension Society. British Hypertension Society, pp. 139-85
The psychological brain changes accumulate through neuroplastic response repeating a task now and then. fMRI is a brain imaging procedure that provides proof that attention to the left hippocampal grey substance increases during MBSR (Kabat-Zinn 2012). The study of mindfulness has shown the positive correlation between the time spent in practicing and improvement in clinical depression symptoms, mindfulness, and well-being. It argues that reputation determines the instantaneous and long-term therapeutic effect of mindfulness. However, there are no scientific facts to prove that the time spent in the practice of mindfulness meditation determines the symptom improvement. Although the medical practice lasts for eight weeks, shorter mindfulness programs yield positive effects too. If a person spent 20 minutes in meditation for five days, it resulted in reduced depression, anxiety anger, and fatigue. On the other hand, it improved immune-reactivity as well as decreased cortical (Saltzman 2014). If a person underwent mindfulness training for four days, there was the improvement of mindfulness, visual-spacial memory, working memory and sustained concentration. It proved that the time spent in the practice did not affect the increase in sustained attention. Besides, pre-task motivation increases concentration task performance more compared to everyday practice alone. In other words, the trait does not support task engagement. Instead, the state
The benefits of yoga are endless. It affects the human mind and body in a variety of ways. Roughly 15 million Americans practice yoga, annually there is an expected increase of twenty percent in participants in the United States ("Yoga Statistics"). While Yoga is often thought of as a practice that involves circus-like poses and seemingly impossible flexibility, it is not. Even bedridden patients can gain benefit from imagining themselves going through the poses and practicing breathing techniques that are appropriate to them (Dickenson 24-25).
Schnall, P., Landsbergis, P., Belkic, K., Warren, K., Schwartz, J., & Pickering, T. (1998). Findings In The Cornell University Ambulatory Blood Pressure Worksite Study: A Review. Psychosomatic Medicine, 60, 697.