by Allen Williams

Created on: May 24, 2007

The lack of physicians qualified to provide other than pharmaceutical help for hypertension is a disgrace. That competence is necessary because of the many side effects of the drugs which are used to treat this condition. The physician selected by the individual patient,must be aware of the potential side effects and should be continually watching the patient for signs of those side effects. The physician must work with the patient and be willing to change the regimen of medication as often as required until the patient's hypertension is under control with minimum side effects.

The side effects of the medication is determined by statistical evaluations of the study group which allowed the drug to be qualified. Statistics do not allow for individual diagnosis, they only allow for the generalized results for the five standard deviations in the center of the curve. This is great for those people, however it keeps the effects on those at the extremes of the study from being treated effectively.

The patient has the responsibility to be aware of changes in their activity level, their energy level, their personality, memory and to report the changes to the physician. Family and friends have to be brought into the observations in order to obtain accurate information and several views of that change. The best methodology for the gathering of this information is for the patient to keep a log book with dates and observations for the physician to review during the appointments or even to be sent to the physician at agreed upon periods by fax, email or letter.

Patients must maintain a healthy diet and develop an exercise program which fits their physical abilities and life style. Simply being told by the physician to lose weight by diet and exercise is not adequate advice by the physician. Patients must have advice tailored to their body in order to be effective.

The relationship has to be a collaborative one between the patient and physician. The condition is too important to be ignored as it is a highly complex condition which requires a large amount of persistence on the part of both physician and patient.

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