Are you or someone you suffering from arteriosclerosis? This illness, signified by a hardening of arteries, can be complicated and dangerous. The good news is, there are several home remedies which can help treat the condition. Read on to learn more about arteriosclerosis, its symptoms and possible treatments!
Arteriosclerosis: What is this Condition?
Arteriosclerosis refers to the hardening of the large and medium-sized arteries. This thickening is due to an accumulation of lime or calcium in the blood vessels, causing their elasticity and flexibility to disappear. It also causes them to become narrow, thus interfering with blood flow.
Arteriosclerosis is thought to be one of the most common conditions affecting blood vessels. It particularly affects those arteries of the kidneys, heart and legs. It can also be a cause of erectile dysfunction.
The most prominent cause of the condition is a poor diet full of hydrogenated and saturated fats and refined and processed foods. Other reasons are high blood pressure, diabetes, malaria, rheumatism and smoking.
Arteriosclerosis: Causes
This is a slow, progressive condition which may start as early as childhood. Even though its exact cause is not known, arteriosclerosis may begin with an injury or damage to the inner layer of the artery. This damage may be caused by:
- Inflammation due to infections, lupus or arthritis
- Insulin resistance, diabetes obesity
- Smoking and other sources of tobacco
- High triglycerides
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
Arteriosclerosis: Symptoms
The condition may develop gradually, and mild arteriosclerosis usually does not have any symptoms until one artery gets clogged or narrowed, robbing tissues and organs of their blood supply. Sometimes, a blood clot may block the blood flow entirely. This may also trigger a heart attack or stroke.
The symptoms depend on which artery is affected. For instance:
- If the arteriosclerosis affects the kidneys, you may develop high blood pressure or kidney failure.
- If the arteriosclerosis affects the arms and legs, you may experience some symptoms of peripheral artery disease, including claudication or sudden leg pain while walking.
- If the arteriosclerosis affects the brain, you may experience sudden weakness or numbness in the arms or legs. You may also have trouble speaking, experience temporary loss of vision in one of your eyes or have sagging muscles in the face.
- If the arteriosclerosis affects the heart, you may experience chest pressure or chest pain.
Arteriosclerosis: Risk Factors
The hardening of the arteries may happen over a period of time. Aside from aging, other factors which increase the risk of atherosclerosis include:
- An unhealthy diet
- Lack of exercise
- Family history
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
Home Remedies for Arteriosclerosis
Here are some of best natural home remedies for arteriosclerosis:
- Beet juice. This is proven to be very beneficial in treating arteriosclerosis. It acts as a solvent for inorganic calcium deposits, keeping the arterial systems clean and healthy.
- Vitamin C. Increasing your intake of foods and drinks rich in vitamin C helps produce bile acid through the conversion of cholesterol.
- Onion and garlic. Try incorporating garlic and onion into your daily diet, as they have potential to treat the condition.
- Stop smoking. This is probably the best thing you can do. Remember, smoking squeezes arteries, which may worsen the situation, and also causes hypertension.
- Plan your diet. Try adding nuts, fruits, vegetables, oils, grains and seeds to your diet. Rather than eating just one meal, eat several smaller meals in more recurrent intervals.
