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4 nutrition tips to manage PAH better

4 nutrition tips to manage PAH better

Pulmonary arterial hypertension or PAH is high blood pressure in the lungs. PAH occurs in the small arteries, and it obstructs blood flow in the lungs, which causes a series of symptoms such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asthma. PAH is a rare condition, and only one to two out of a million people in our country suffer from it. Apart from medications, the following nutrition tips can provide relief from PAH symptoms.

Eat more garlic
One of the major causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension is restricted blood flow in the lungs. Garlic contains a compound called allicin, which helps widen blood vessels and ease the restricted blood flow, thereby controlling blood pressure. You can eat both raw or cooked garlic to reap its benefit. However, doctors recommend eating raw garlic within an hour of chopping to relieve the benefits of allicin.

Avoid stimulants
Stimulants that worsen pulmonary arterial hypertension symptoms may be hiding in plain sight. For instance, caffeinated beverages such as coffee, carbonated beverages, and other stimulants like alcohol can aggravate PAH. So, doctors recommend replacing the morning “cuppa joe” with freshly squeezed fruit juices and that peg of scotch with a mocktail. Cutting back on these stimulants can also help PAH patients sleep better.

Get more iron
Doctors suggest pulmonary arterial hypertension can be seen more in patients with low iron levels in their blood. Iron can directly affect the pulmonary vasoconstrictor response, which is crucial in determining the severity of PAH. Iron deficiency can increase the risk of PAH, thus having iron-rich meals every day can prevent the worsening of PAH. Doctors recommend incorporating red meat, beans, dark leafy greens in daily meals. The body absorbs iron more efficiently if it is supplemented by vitamin C. Some foods rich in vitamin C include tomatoes, citrus fruits, bell peppers, and broccoli.

Keep track of fluid consumption
The heart of PAH patients cannot pump blood efficiently. Moreover, excess fluid can increase water retention in the body, which makes pumping blood even more difficult. This can worsen PAH symptoms. Hence, doctors recommend limiting fluid intake to not more than two liters per day.

It is highly recommended to consult a doctor before adopting any of the above tips to avoid worsening any other underlying symptoms. Tablets like Adempas® riociguat tablets can be used for PAH treatment. The tablets can improve exercise ability and inhibit the worsening of PAH symptoms. Adempas® riociguat dosage is decided by a doctor only after examining the severity of symptoms. They will also advise certain do’s and don’ts when the patient is on Adempas® riociguat medication.

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