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COMBATING HYPERTENSION IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
We know more or less what hypertension is, what it can do to our important organs such as the brain, kidneys, eyes, especially the heart and veins. Especially if this disease has started at the age of a child, these harmful effects can also occur at a very early age. However, when the diagnosis is made in time and the treatment is planned and controlled, it is possible to minimize the damage that it can cause to the body. It is even possible to prevent the occurrence of the disease with a number of measures. The studies conducts scientific research on blood pressure and related diseases in children and adolescents, diagnosis, treatment and preventive factors with a multidisciplinary understanding, and aims to raise awareness by sharing preventive approaches with the general public.
We always think of high blood pressure disease as an advanced age disease. However, hypertension can also occur in children and teenagers. And because this disease has never been diagnosed with them, it sneaks up on us and does organ damage.
High blood pressure in childhood is a harbinger of hypertension in adults. a 15mmHg increase in the blood pressure of a 15-year-old boy increases the likelihood of hypertension by 18% after 35 years. This rate was found to be 4% in girls.
According to the conducted studies, the incidence of hypertension in young adults is estimated at 2.2% in Switzerland, 2.5% in Hungary and 4.9% in Poland, 12% in Greece and 9% in our country. The incidence of hypertension is 4.25 times higher in boys than in girls.
Early diagnosis of high blood pressure is of great importance in terms of reducing the incidence of heart and vascular disease-related diseases and deaths later in life.
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HYPERTENSION IS MORE COMMON IN OBESE CHILDREN
A close relationship found hypertension, diabetes, and obesity in adults shows that obese children also have a high risk of becoming hypertensive and diabetic. Hypertension is observed in 1.4% of normal-weight children, 7.1% of overweight people and 25% of obese young adults. obese children aged 3-11 years have twice the risk of developing hypertension compared to normal-weight children, while those with severe obesity have a risk more than four.
Along with the constantly evolving technology, nutrition with a high content of carbohydrates and a decrease in physical activity, a disorder in sleep patterns, stress and anxiety are among the preventable causes of high blood pressure and obesity.
Consumption of more than two servings of fruits and vegetables per day during young adulthood reduces the risk of blood pressure rise by about 35%. The risk of hypertension is positively related to sugar-sweetened beverages, high salt intake, and a diet high in saturated fat. It has been shown in studies that reducing salt intake by 3 grams per day leads to a decrease in blood pressure by 1.2mmHg. Excessive salt intake is associated not only with increased blood pressure, but also with other risk factors leading to heart and vascular diseases.
Children with insufficient physical activity are about three times more likely to have elevated blood pressure, and the benefit of regular physical activity in the prevention of hypertension is great.
Cigarettes, hookahs, etc. the use of tobacco products, such as, is one of the most important risk factors contributing to the development and severity of hypertension and associated diseases.
Healthy weight, sleep patterns and exercise habits have a significant effect on reducing the stress levels of children and young adults. Children and young adults should learn how to deal with stress and get support from experts.
Parents, childcare professionals and educators should educate, encourage and become role models for children and young adults to acquire healthy living habits.
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