Beta Blockers: What are they exactly?
Do you know someone who has been prescribed a beta blocker? Do you understand why it has been prescribed and what it is doing to your body?
Most of us simply follow instructions.
The doctor has asked me to take beta blockers, and so I am taking it, you might say. But I have learnt that will all things medical, the best choices are always made once you are better informed.
So why did the doctor ask you to take a beta blocker?
To understand we need to learn about two hormones, adrenaline and noradrenaline. Adrenaline is produced to get you to act for a few seconds or minutes. Run, fight, flight. Noradrenaline is the sustained version of the hormone, produced over hours.
A beta blocker blocks these hormones from acting.
So, obviously, the question is why is a doctor wanting to block your hormones from doing what they are supposed to do.
Because these hormones have gone into overdrive. The consequence is elevated heartbeat, high blood pressure, angina, heart disease, migraine or even anxiety.
When your ailments take over your body, it is better to medicate to reduce the effects at least temporarily until you can figure out a better way to improve.
There is a catch.
Beta blockers are known to cause weight gain. They act to prevent fat cells from metabolizing.
In simple words, preventing your body from using stored fat. So you make a tradeoff between the consequences of elevated stress or weight gain.
So, the doctor may tell you to change your lifestyle alongside.
The guidance is scanty on what exactly this means. Lifestyle changes include ensuring proper sleep for at least seven to eight hours. It means walking, preferably over long distances regularly.
It means reducing the intake of caffeine and processed junk food. It means reducing your intake of sugar spiking food.
It means breathing, meditating and anchoring your mind and beliefs.
Essentially living the lifestyle that I have been speaking about for over a decade now.
Reach out to me on twitter @rbawri Instagram @riteshbawriofficial and YouTube at www.youtube.com/breatheagain
