High Blood Pressure In Teens – Causes And Symptoms
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There are many diseases that are considered ‘adult only’ problems. But increasingly, the younger generation too is falling prey to these health issues. High blood pressure in teens is one of them.
Is your teen suffering from high blood pressure? Or are you looking for ways to keep her protected from this life threatening high BP disease? Then you have landed at the right place.
Here’s a simple guide to help you understand teen hypertension better.
Causes Of High Blood Pressure in Teens:
Earlier it was believed that hypertension in teens was a result of heart or kidney problems. But today, it is common knowledge that high blood pressure has the same cause, no matter the age of the victim.Read on to know what causes high blood pressure in teenagers.
Some of the common causes of teen hypertension include:
1. Family History and Genetics:
In many cases, hypertension among teens is a direct result of genetics. If you or your partner has high blood pressure, chances are high that your teen will develop it too. And if your teen happens to have the wrong genes, she might fall prey to hypertension.
2. Lifestyle:
Today, obesity has taken epidemic proportions. Bad eating habits, a sedentary lifestyle, etc. has become the norm among teens these days. Smoking and substance abuse too are common among teens. All these lifestyle choices have led to an increase in the cases of teen hypertension.
3. Hormones:
The teenage is a difficult time. Hypertension in teenagers can happen due to hormones.Hormones take over, and the teen body starts to change gradually. A surge in sex hormones, testosterone and estrogen, can also cause hypertension.
4. Early Puberty:
Teenagers who attain puberty at an early age, are also more likely to develop hypertension.
5. Stress:
Like other cases of high blood pressure, stress too can lead to this condition in teens.
[ Read: Stress Management For Teens ]
Treating High Blood Pressure In Teenagers:
The teenage is the most difficult phase in one’s life. So, it is important to treat teen hypertension on a war footing to prevent future health complications.
Some of the treatment options for dealing with high blood pressure among teens include:
1. Lifestyle Changes:
The first line of treatment is to change the way your teen lives. Watch what she eats, make sure she is getting enough exercise, etc.
[ Read: Benefits Of Exercise For Teenagers ]
2. Medication:
The medication that is used to treat adult hypertension also works in the treatment of teens. Some of the medications include using beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, ACE Inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and diuretics.
Preventing Teen Hypertension:
Prevention is better than cure – it may be a clichéd saying, but true nevertheless. When it comes to hypertension, the best solution is to prevent it from happening. Here are some easy ways of keeping your teen safe from high blood pressure:
1. Maintain Healthy Body Weight:
Obesity is the leading cause of hypertension among teens. So make sure your kid is eating wholesome meals and maintaining a healthy weight. Take away junk food and introduce veggies instead.
2. Be Active:
Video games and television are not evil if enjoyed in moderation. If your teen spends all her free time in front of her laptop, it is time to change things. Send her out for a walk. Ask her to get active. It will help her prevent hypertension and will also make her more social. A healthy teen should exercise for at least 20 minutes a day, three times a week.
3. Say No To Smoking and Drinking:
Peer pressure can compel a teen to take to smoking and substance abuse. She may not tell you about these habits, but if you suspect substance abuse; sit down with her and have a talk. Don’t tell her not to smoke or drink alcohol. Remember, teens are a rebellious lot. It is better to explain how these things can harm her and tell her to be moderate.
[ Read: Effective Tips To Make Your Teens Quit Smoking ]
4. Reduce Salt Intake:
Salt can cause a spike in blood pressure levels in the body. So try and limit your teen’s salt intake.
5. Reduce Stress:
The teenage years are a stressful time. Teenager with high blood pressure need constant counselling regarding stress. So, help your teen deal with the stresses of life better. Introduce her to meditation, yoga, and other methods of stress control.
It is unfortunate that teens today have to face problems, which were earlier limited to adults. Hypertension can be scary. And it can cause serious health issues later in life. So, be proactive and help your teen beat high blood pressure out of her life!
Does your teen suffer from hypertension? How are you dealing with it? Tell us!
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