Sample Lit Review on Hypertension
2. Literature review
This chapter reviews the literature on hypertension and hyperlipidaemia and their relation to risk factors including age, gender, genetics, diet and weight, alcohol, smoking, lack of activity and co-morbidity. It also examines mediating factors including economic factors, stress/personality, medications, lifestyle modifications and complementary therapies including foot reflexology and foot massage. Finally, it reviews outcomes (quality of life) including physiological, psychological and socioeconomic changes.
2.1 Background to the literature review
The occurrence of hypertension, a chronic condition, is increasing in developing countries such as Thailand due to the sociological, political and economic changes and the associated alterations in people’s lifestyles. This follows similar trends in western countries (National Economic and Social Development Board 1997). These lifestyle changes can cause chronic health problems, as a result of poor habits in food and alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, smoking, and increased stress (National Economic and Social Development Board 1997). Data from an observational health survey in 1995 of Thai people aged 50 years and over demonstrated that the incidence of hypertension in urban females was 1.7 times that of rural females, for two age groups (less than 60 years of age, and 60 years or more). Similarly, for urban males it was 1.7 and 1.5 times that of rural males, for both age groups respectively (Chuprapawan et al 1995).
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In addition, age, gender, ethnicity, genetic background, family health history and dyslipidaemia are likely to influence hypertension (Kaplan, Lieberman & Neal 2002; Mancia et al 2002; Manger & Gifford 2001; National Heart Foundation of Australia 2003).
People with a chronic disease may seek ways to reduce their suffering by using both conventional treatment and complementary therapies. Foot reflexology, one of the complementary therapies, is chosen for patients
This chapter reviews the literature on hypertension and hyperlipidaemia and their relation to risk factors including age, gender, genetics, diet and weight, alcohol, smoking, lack of activity and co-morbidity. It also examines mediating factors including economic factors, stress/personality, medications, lifestyle modifications and complementary therapies including foot reflexology and foot massage. Finally, it reviews outcomes (quality of life) including physiological, psychological and socioeconomic changes.
2.1 Background to the literature review
The occurrence of hypertension, a chronic condition, is increasing in developing countries such as Thailand due to the sociological, political and economic changes and the associated alterations in people’s lifestyles. This follows similar trends in western countries (National Economic and Social Development Board 1997). These lifestyle changes can cause chronic health problems, as a result of poor habits in food and alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, smoking, and increased stress (National Economic and Social Development Board 1997). Data from an observational health survey in 1995 of Thai people aged 50 years and over demonstrated that the incidence of hypertension in urban females was 1.7 times that of rural females, for two age groups (less than 60 years of age, and 60 years or more). Similarly, for urban males it was 1.7 and 1.5 times that of rural males, for both age groups respectively (Chuprapawan et al 1995).
23
In addition, age, gender, ethnicity, genetic background, family health history and dyslipidaemia are likely to influence hypertension (Kaplan, Lieberman & Neal 2002; Mancia et al 2002; Manger & Gifford 2001; National Heart Foundation of Australia 2003).
People with a chronic disease may seek ways to reduce their suffering by using both conventional treatment and complementary therapies. Foot reflexology, one of the complementary therapies, is chosen for patients