A lot of people often say that letting loose is the best way to deal with high blood pressure, but it now looks like letting one loose could be just as effective!
High blood pressure is one of the major health concerns for individuals and families across the world. The causes for this condition are many, ranging from age and diet to lifestyle choices such as smoking and alcohol consumption. Experienced doctors often prescribe physical exercise and a non-sedentary lifestyle to help lower one’s blood pressure.
However, there seems to be a very unconventional way in which the body itself is regulating blood pressure. It may cause quite a stink in some circles, but it has been shown that foul-smelling farts may actually be the consequence of the body trying to cut down its blood pressure.
Excessive flatulence, or flatulence accompanied by pain in the abdomen or diarrhoea should be evaluated by a physician as it may be a sign of irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease or gastroparesis.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D
This was discovered in a study conducted at John Hopkins University, Maryland, the USA, which was reported widely by renowned publications such as the BBC. The study discovered that Hydrogen Sulfide, the chemical that adds the foul to a foul-smelling fart, was not only produced in the intestines, but also by an enzyme responsible for relaxing blood vessels.
It was earlier believed that Nitric Oxide was the sole chemical produced by the body that helped to regulate blood pressure by acting as a signalling molecule for the cardiovascular system. In fact, this discovery by three American scientists- Robert Furchgott, Louis Ignarro, and Ferid Murad, won the Nobel Prize for medicine in 1998.
Also Read: Why Does My Poop Smell So Bad? Unpacking Digestive Health Concerns
But it now looks like Hydrogen Sulfide also plays a similar physiological role in the human body. So much so that some scientists are now speculating that pharmaceutical companies may soon develop ‘fart pills’ that would be prescribed to those suffering from high blood pressure.
While all of these fart related medical miracles are being developed, it is important to remember that just farting alone will not save you. High blood pressure can also be dealt with by an active exercise regime, a good diet, and abstinence from smoking and alcohol. All of these changes combined could be just what your cardiovascular system needs to function smoothly once again.
Stretching the intestinal wall in young healthy people causes an increase in muscle sympathetic nerve activity and in blood pressure called the gastrovascular reflex. Hence farting may help in temporarily reducing BP not on a long term.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
So, the next time you feel the need to break the wind, just close your eyes, let it out, and think about how good it is for your blood pressure. Let’s just hope that the people around you also appreciate the medical importance of your actions!
Also Read: Treating Hypertension : 5 Effective Ways
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The blood flowing through your heart, arteries, and veins exerts pressure on the blood vessels; this is called blood pressure. In people with high blood pressure, the heart works harder due to the hardening of the blood vessels. Over time, this condition may lead to stroke, kidney diseases, and even heart failure. Here are the top 8 reasons why are suffering from high blood pressure, some of which you can easily correct:
Must Read: How To Control High Blood Pressure?
Sedentary lifestyle: With an increase in age and responsibilities, physical health takes a backseat. A sedentary lifestyle is one of the major causes of developing high blood pressure and other related diseases.
Dietary Patterns: Bad food habits such as skipping breakfast, a high-fat diet accompanied with low fruit and vegetable intake all contribute to the development of high blood pressure.
Stress: Stress spikes blood pressure levels. In the long run, this adds up over time and leads to the development of hypertension.
Also Read: Home Remedies for High BP
Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation
