White coat syndrome is the rise of blood pressure in people due to tension when they visit any clinic or doctor’s office. [1]
This rise of pressure is also known as white coat hypertension.
Keep reading to learn how to get rid of white coat syndrome naturally.
What Causes White Coat Syndrome
White coat syndrome is common in people who have a fear of doctors or fall into anxiety in a medical environment.
This problem develops from childhood. Many children fear needles and hate doctors for giving them vaccinations.
These people otherwise have normal blood pressure but experience an increase in their blood pressure when they visit any doctor- hence the name “White Coat Syndrome.”
It is common in women, older patients, and persons with Mild Hypertension. [2]
A recent study showed that around 15 and 30 percent of people with high blood pressure at the doctor’s office might be affected by white coat hypertension. [3]
White coat hypertension causes a temporary increase in your blood pressure level. In a recent study, doctors found certain risks associated with this syndrome. Such as:
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Stroke
- Renal Injury
- Increased aortic stiffness
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How To Understand If You Have White Coat Syndrome
To understand if you have white coat syndrome, you must measure your blood pressure at home and at your doctor’s place, then compare it.
Blood pressure levels are around 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) on a normal scale.
Doctors usually define Hypertension when your blood pressure reading is above 140/90 mmHg. [4]
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Natural Remedies to Get Rid Of White Coat Syndrome
White coat syndrome may stop affected people from taking proper medical care because of their fear and anxiety. People affected by white coat syndrome tend to avoid medical attention when sick. [5]
1. Do Meditation and Breathing Exercise
Meditation will help you calm down before going into the doctor’s office. As a result, your blood pressure will remain normal.
Counting backward might relax your mind. You can also try breathing from the nose and exhaling from the mouth; then, inhale from the mouth and exhale through the nose.
To shift your focus from your fear, you can also close your eyes and count the things you can hear.
2. Find Out and Address What is Making You Anxious
Knowing about your fear is the first step to lowering your anxiety.
Once you discover your fear, know the possible solutions to eliminate it. For example: If you are afraid of needles, try finding out how much a needle hurts, and is it worth getting anxious about this?
Face your fear as much as possible so that it doesn’t make you anxious anymore.
3. Squeeze a Stress Ball
Carry a stress ball while visiting a doctor. Squeezing and releasing a stress ball will reduce your Hypertension. [6]
Do this exercise three times for each hand. Doing this exercise will reduce your Hypertension.
4. Use Essential oils for Reducing Hypertension
Few essential oils that will help you cure white coat syndrome by reducing Hypertension:
Geranium oil balances emotions and helps to calm an overactive mind. Geranium is particularly useful for stress & anxiety and is perfect for diffusing at bedtime.
Marjoram oil lowers high blood pressure. The oil also has a calming and rejuvenating effect on emotions, which limits stress and soothes the mind.
Jasmine oil calms down nerves and boosts feelings of confidence and optimism. It also improves your breathing and removes depression and nervous anxiety. All these properties help in reducing high blood pressure.
Valerian oil is a grounding oil. It is famous for its powerful sedative effects on the nervous system. Valerian relaxes our tensed nervous system and helps us calm down.
Melissa oil contains antidepressant properties. It helps to lift the mood and restore emotional balance. In addition, it acts as a medicine for the heart, which lowers high blood pressure and protects against heart palpitations, rapid heartbeat, and heart attack.
How to Use Essential Oils for White Coat Syndrome:
- First, use the above-mentioned essential oils by adding a few drops of any of these oils to your bath water. Then, take a bath before you leave for your doctor.
- Or, add a few drops of any of these oils to your body lotion and apply it to your body. It will help you calm your mind and eliminate white coat syndrome.
- Adding drops of these oils to your hand lotion will also work like magic! Get a travel-size hand lotion and add any of the mentioned essential oils. Carry the hand lotion with you and apply it when you reach the clinic to avoid Hypertension.
Essential oils are undoubtedly the best medicine for white coat hypertension.
Bottom Line
Having white coat syndrome can be tough. You can be very sick but not willing to visit the doctor.
Getting rid of white coat syndrome is very important to avoid long-term damage to your body. As said earlier, this syndrome may lead to bigger health issues, such as cardiovascular problems.
If you suffer from severe white coat syndrome, consult a counselor or a psychiatrist.
I hope this article enriched your knowledge regarding white coat syndrome and will help you get rid of it soon.
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