Ermak M.Yu. Phlebologist, vascular surgeon, ultrasound diagnostics doctor at the Gradient clinic, Member of the Russian Association of Phlebologists. |
You have all heard about the incredibly beneficial effects of a contract shower. How many of you take it? And do you know how to do this? So, a contrast shower is a type of hardening, a water procedure using alternately cold and hot water.
How to reduce blood pressure at home
First of all, you need to measure your blood pressure to make sure that the symptoms caused (weakness, nausea, drowsiness, dizziness) are associated with it. If the indicator is 130/85 or more, this is really high blood pressure, i.e. state of hypertension. To deal with it, it is recommended:
- Sit or lie down, calm down, close your eyes.
- Open the window, if it’s hot, turn on the air conditioning.
- Take a deep, smooth breath, counting to 5. Moreover, the stomach should participate in breathing - to make sure of this, you need to put your hand on it. Exhale and count to 5 again. Repeat several such cycles for 3-5 minutes.
- Next, when you feel better, you need to pour noticeably hot water into a basin (temperature 45 degrees) and put your feet in it for 5-10 minutes. It’s good to do a similar procedure for your hands. Thanks to this, the vessels of the extremities will expand and the pressure will drop by several units.
- Then you can hold your hands under a tap with cool (but not ice-cold) water.
- At the final stage, it is useful to massage the collar area - at the base of the neck, head, and shoulder area. After this, move on to the stomach and chest.
Temperature with vegetative-vascular dystonia
What to do if you feel a “temperature condition”, but without signs of a cold? You should take your temperature to see if there is any cause for concern.
What temperature is considered low-grade?
If it exceeds 37, then action should be taken, and if not, then it can be ignored. Most people's idea of elevated and normal temperature differs from the medical norm. A temperature several tenths higher than 37 degrees is considered low-grade and is a common symptom of VSD.
Should I be concerned if my temperature is slightly elevated?
The presence of elevated temperature cannot be left without attempts to find out the cause. If it does not exceed 37C, then this is considered normal, but if it is slightly higher than this figure, then it is considered low-grade. In “dystonics” it is a frequent occurrence and varies from 37.1 to 37.5C. Higher numbers indicate that this symptom is no longer related to the above disease.
Causes of elevated temperature during VSD
With VSD, temperature instability occurs, and the figure can change quite often during the day. The cause of this disorder is a deviation from the normal functioning of the thermoregulatory zone in the brain. Ensuring the same body temperature depends on it, that is, independent of external conditions. The failure occurs due to increased production of the hormone adrenaline, and there are frequent surges of its off-scale level, occurring due to little things that cause ordinary people to not have such amounts of this hormone. This is just one aspect of the pathologies of the autonomic system in VSD.
However, to more accurately identify the cause of this disease, you should undergo an examination and take tests that a specialist will prescribe. Based on their results, he will make a diagnosis, which will clarify the situation by confirming or denying the presence of other diseases that cause an increase in body temperature. If no such diseases were identified, then most likely the cause is vegetative-vascular dystonia.
Features of temperature during VSD
It should be borne in mind that this phenomenon in vegetative-vascular dystonia has its own distinctive features. One of them is her promotion, as some would say, because of all sorts of nonsense. For example, this could be physical activity, or even a state of rest. It is curious that it can return to normal if you just lie down or fall asleep, with a short rest being enough. Most likely, this is because in sleep it decreases a little for everyone.
Abnormal temperature with vegetative-vascular dystonia may not disappear for years. It usually appears in the morning and decreases at night. If it increases after any type of physical activity, then this indicates the presence of VSD. You should not overuse antipyretic drugs, as this does not eliminate the underlying cause, but it is quite possible to “earn” gastritis. At times it may fall below normal, but this is not a cause for concern as it will later rise to normal.
Is low-grade fever dangerous during VSD?
In general, no, but all these fluctuations are by no means healthy. This instability leads to two more violations. One of them is hyperhidrosis, that is, excessive sweating that occurs in a calm state, for no reason. The second consequence is that a person feels cold all the time, even in the warm season, not to mention the cold season. This is especially true for limbs, which get cold even with gloves and insulated shoes.
Is it possible to get rid of this trouble, which is one of the symptoms of vegetative-vascular dystonia?
In principle, there is no particular cause for concern. If this really bothers you, then you can take medications from time to time, but not antipyretics, but sedatives. Author: K.M.N., Academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences M.A. Bobyr
How to lower blood pressure without pills
Along with the described instructions, you can use other home remedies to reduce blood pressure:
- Warm, but not hot tea with mint leaves (brew for 10-15 minutes).
- External compress with apple cider vinegar - soak a cloth and apply it to the feet for the same time. This method works, but you need to use apple cider vinegar, not any other kind.
- Valerian or Corvalol – 15-30 drops per 3 tablespoons of water. Helps to calm down, thanks to which the indicator stabilizes.
- You can take a glass of warm water with 1 tablespoon of honey and half a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Moreover, instead of ordinary water, you can use mineral water.
- Diuretic tea, for example, based on lingonberries, rose hips, bearberry leaves, and linden flowers, will also help reduce blood pressure.
It is important to understand that the measures described help stabilize blood pressure only for a while. Therefore, in the long term, you should adjust your lifestyle, give up bad habits, follow dietary requirements and start losing weight. Thus, one lost kilogram of excess weight leads to a persistent decrease in blood pressure by 1 point.
Adviсe:
- immediately tune in to regularity; for a healing effect, the procedure must be carried out daily;
- It is better to start in the warm season, in the morning, when you are healthy (in the absence of inflammatory diseases - cystitis, sinusitis, sore throat, runny nose, fever), you should not start during menstruation;
- at first you can pour only your feet, and then your whole body;
- you should start gradually, first take a comfortable shower with one slight temperature difference (contrast), then increase the temperature difference and duration;
- The water should be cold, not tepid. Otherwise, you will simply freeze, but you need to put your body under stress;
- pour over the entire body, do not linger in one place, wet your face before the procedure;
- a surge of strength and energy, a good mood after a shower is a sign that you did everything right. Important! If you have chills, frozen hands or feet, you are doing something wrong!
- Keep in mind that contrast showers should be taken with caution in certain diseases (hypertension, cerebrovascular accident, thrombophlebitis and others).
Consult your doctor!
Be healthy!
Sign up for a free consultation with a phlebologist or ask any questions you have about phlebology and vein treatment by phone:
+7 (495) 255−50−11.
How to wash properly
Water procedures are a completely common thing for each of us. We are accustomed to doing this since childhood, without even thinking about whether it is right. We wash not only to look decent, but also to maintain our health. In order not to harm yourself and get the maximum benefit from water procedures, read our article. You will learn how to shower correctly, when is the best time to shower and which one to prefer - cold or hot, how to wash in the bath and much more.
How to wash in the shower correctly
Even such a banal act as washing in the shower has a number of nuances. We live in a world where everything is constantly being improved and science does not stand still even in this matter. To ensure that water treatments bring more health benefits , follow these tips.
- Water procedures should begin from the top, that is, from the head, then gradually descend lower. Feet should be washed last.
- To correctly dose the amount of shampoo you use, apply it first to your hand, then to your head.
- Many people pay little attention to their feet when washing. It is not right. The feet should be regularly cleaned of rough skin with pumice, and the space between the toes should be washed with soap.
- Rinse soap, shower gel and other detergents very thoroughly.
- After taking water procedures, dry yourself with a towel, paying attention to all parts of the body.
- Skin exposed to hard water requires hydration. Take the time to apply moisturizer or milk to your dry body.
Is it necessary to take a shower every day?
Dermatologists do not find a clear answer to this question. There is an opinion that taking a shower every day does more harm to the body than it does good . The normal amount of water procedures is twice a week , with the exception of intimate places, which should be washed 1-2 times a day. Daily skin contact with water can lead to excessive dryness of the skin and irritation. In addition, human skin is covered with a protective layer consisting of sebum, beneficial bacteria and organic acids. This shell protects the body from infections. By washing off the protective cover with a washcloth every day, you risk harming the body.
But there is also the opposite opinion. Other dermatologists recommend showering morning and evening . It is believed that a cool shower in the morning will energize the body, and warm water before bed will calm the body and set it up for sleep. In any case, you cannot use soaps and gels every day. It is enough to thoroughly clean only those parts of the body that are most susceptible to contamination (feet, armpits, private parts), and rinse the body completely with water.
Positive effects of cold and hot showers on the body
Let's talk about the positive properties that water has on our body. The temperature of the water during hydrotherapy is of great importance.
Cold shower:
- Invigorates and energizes for the whole day. In the morning, all processes in our body are slowed down. The shock of cool water will help the body quickly adjust to work.
- Speeds up metabolism. If you want to lose weight or get rid of cellulite, cold showers will help you with this.
- Tightens pores, tones the skin. Cold water will help your skin stay young and firm longer.
- Helps improve breathing. If you get used to a cold shower, in moments of strong excitement and panic it will be easier for you to control yourself; with the help of breathing you can calm your nerves.
- Prevents colds. Hardening has not yet been canceled. If you feel that your health is weakening, you are easily susceptible to various infections, try to harden yourself. There is no need to immediately plunge your head into ice-cold water. Do it gradually. Slowly reduce the temperature to a tolerable level, wipe your legs, face, neck, whole body. And only then get into the shower. For the first time, a few seconds of being under running cold water will be enough.
- Acts as an antidepressant. A cold morning shower activates the nervous system and releases the hormone norepinephrine, which helps fight depression.
- It has a good effect on the appearance and condition of hair. If washing your hair in a cold shower is uncomfortable, don’t force yourself. However, your hair should be washed with at least warm water, but not hot. Due to prolonged contact of hair with hot water, it becomes thinner, weaker and dull, and becomes less elastic.
- Improves blood circulation and normalizes blood pressure.
A contrast shower has a similar effect on the body. It also improves mood, promotes fat burning, and keeps skin elastic.
Hot shower:
- Has a calming effect. Taking a hot or warm shower will calm the nervous system, set the body up for sleep and rest, and relax the muscles.
- Opens skin pores. When exposed to heat, the pores will open and be freed from impurities and toxins. It is useful to use a body scrub in conjunction with such water procedures.
- Reduces swelling, makes breathing easier during illness. If you are sick and do not have a fever, take a hot shower. Nasal congestion will go away for a while and breathing will become easier. You can warm your throat with a stream of hot water by directing it to the neck area.
- Helps with headaches. Hot water helps relax muscles, so if your headache is caused by excessive muscle tension, a hot shower will help relieve the pain. For a positive effect, direct the stream of water to your neck, shoulders and back.
How to wash in the bath properly
It is better to take a bath no more than twice a week. The purpose of baths is to relax the body, enjoy the procedure, and soak in warm water. Therefore, before taking a bath, wash yourself in the shower and steam your skin.
During the cold evenings in winter, you can take a hot bath. At temperatures above 40 degrees, microbes die and there is no need to worry about them. And in the summer, to cool off from the heat, take a bath with cool water (20 degrees). Whatever the temperature, taking a bath longer than 20 minutes is not recommended. This will have a negative effect on the skin.
You can add sea salt, medicinal herbs, aromatic oils, and bath foam to your bath water. Remember that bubble bath is not a body cleanser. For this purpose, use soap or shower gel.
When is it better to wash: morning or evening
There are no general recommendations on this issue. Some people can’t bring themselves to get up early in the morning and take a shower, dry their hair, and style it. Someone, on the contrary, comes home from work tired and unable to get to the bathroom. However, there are significant differences in taking a shower in the morning and in the evening. Let's look into this, maybe this information will make you think about your regime .
It is better for business people and office workers to wash in the morning. People with such a profession need to always look well-groomed, thereby making a positive impression on people around them and clients. A morning invigorating shower will give you self-confidence, set your brain up for positivity and make it work more actively.
People who work in dusty, dirty, or physically demanding environments usually take a shower in the evening (or after work). These are builders, miners, loaders, athletes. Coming home from work, a person simply needs to wash himself, wash off the sweat and dirt, and that’s right. Besides, going to bed clean is much more pleasant.
If you can’t fall asleep for a long time, relax after a working day, throw bad thoughts about work out of your head, take a hot shower or bath. This will reduce the level of cortisol, the stress hormone. But the basis of the positive effect is achieved by lowering body temperature after taking hot baths. The fact is that such a decrease in temperature is a natural catalyst for sleep. This way you can simply trick the body and set it up for sleep.
Water procedures will help you improve your health, lift your spirits and even get rid of some ailments, provided that you take a bath and shower correctly .
The benefits of a contrast shower for the body
Alternating cold and hot water has a positive effect on the entire human body. Here's how a contrast shower is useful:
- Strengthening the cardiovascular system. Under the influence of hot water, blood vessels dilate, which helps prevent overheating. Cold water, on the contrary, leads to their narrowing in order to prevent hypothermia. The narrowing and dilation of blood vessels strengthens their walls, increases elasticity, and prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.
- Acceleration of metabolism. After the procedure, blood circulation improves and metabolic processes in cells are accelerated.
- Improving the condition of the skin. The skin begins to more actively produce collagen and elastin, which means it becomes more elastic, healthy, and radiant.
- Increased tone. Under stressful conditions, the body produces specific hormones that stimulate muscle activity and have an encouraging effect.
- Hardening. The body learns to respond to sudden temperature changes, so in the off-season it is easier for it to cope with weather fluctuations and easier to resist viral infections.
- Losing excess weight. Under the influence of low temperatures, the fat burning process is activated. Regular water treatments will help make your figure slimmer and more attractive.
- Great mood. Shock therapy increases the heartbeat and accelerates blood flow, so that the body receives more oxygen and nutrients necessary to activate internal processes. After a contrast shower, you feel a surge of strength and energy, and your mood improves.