24-hour blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is a modern method for diagnosing cardiovascular pathologies. Blood pressure may change depending on the time of day, sleep or wakefulness, due to emotional state, etc. Thanks to this type of diagnostics, you can track all fluctuations and pressure surges, find out at what time they occur and what exactly provokes them.
Daily blood pressure monitoring allows you to identify various disorders even at an early stage. In addition, this research technique helps the doctor determine the most effective treatment tactics for the patient.
Are all devices the same?
Depending on the type of power supply, stationary, portable and flow-through devices are distinguished.
The first one runs on mains power and therefore requires installation near an outlet. The second one is powered by a battery or batteries; you can take it with you on trips and travels.
The flow type is connected directly to the water tap. Its main drawback is the inability to use purified water and special medical solutions.
How are irrigators different?
When choosing a device, you should pay attention to:
- Jet pressure. The larger it is, the better the result will be achieved, but too much pressure can cause discomfort and even harm. Therefore, choose a device with the ability to change power in order to select a comfortable mode for performing the procedure.
- Availability of special settings and additional functions. For example, a pulsating jet for gum massage or microbubble technology.
- Number and types of attachments (for teeth, tongue, gum tissue, braces, veneers and other structures).
- The volume of the tank for medical solution or ordinary water. A small container will require adding liquid during the procedure, and a large device cannot be taken with you on trips and travels.
- Battery capacity, operating and charging time when choosing a portable analogue.
If you plan to use the device for all family members, then you should choose a stationary type of irrigator. It has many attachments and a large liquid reservoir. For individual use or for frequent trips and travel, its portable counterpart would be the best choice. When purchasing it, pay attention to the operating and charging time of its battery.
If you plan to use the device only for thorough oral hygiene, choose a simple mono-jet device.
When wearing braces, veneers, bridges and other structures, make sure that the orthodontic attachment is included in the package. In some cases it can be purchased additionally. For the treatment of chronic gingivitis and periodontitis, we recommend using a regimen with microbubble technology.
results
A day later you need to see a doctor to remove the device. After removing the device, the collected data is transferred to a computer and processed. As a rule, the result is given out the next day.
The conclusion will indicate the preliminary diagnosis and data collected during the day. They include the following indicators:
- Systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
- Heart rate per day, per day and night, its minimum and maximum values.
- Daily index, which reflects the difference between daytime blood pressure and during sleep as a percentage.
- Time and speed of morning pressure rise, pulse pressure at different times of the day, etc.
Please note that the diagnosis indicated in the report is not final. Perhaps the doctor will additionally prescribe other diagnostic methods to clarify it.
Indications for ABPM
Daily blood pressure monitoring can be prescribed by a general practitioner or cardiologist for the following indications:
- suspicion of nocturnal hypertension;
- clarification of the diagnosis in cases where borderline pressure parameters were determined at the appointment;
- ineffectiveness of medication;
- hidden hypertension;
- monitoring the effectiveness of drug treatment;
- high risks of hypertension during pregnancy;
- diagnosis of the characteristics of hypertension in the elderly, as well as patients with excess weight and diabetes mellitus;
- dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system;
- suspicion of the influence of distorting factors during standard tonometry in a doctor’s office (“white coat syndrome”);
- diagnosis of arterial hypotension, identification of the causes of dizziness and fainting.
Often, significant changes in blood pressure levels occur sporadically, and it is simply impossible to observe them in a specialist’s office. Blood pressure monitoring allows you to take measurements over a certain period of time several times a day and get a holistic picture of the patient’s daily blood pressure profile.
How difficult is the device to use?
We've looked at what an irrigator is for, now let's talk about how to use a home device for cleaning your teeth. By following the operating instructions and the recommendations presented below, you will easily master the skills of its use. Even small children can cope with this.
User manual:
- Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth.
- Pour ordinary boiled water or medical solution into a special container.
- Turn on the irrigator.
- Select the desired mode or adjust the jet pressure.
- Place the nozzle of the nozzle perpendicular to the gum.
- Treat each tooth and interdental space from all sides.
- Rinse your mouth.
- Turn off the device.
The described algorithm is only suitable for a stationary device. For a portable analogue, the sequence of actions will be slightly different.
If you still have any questions, contact a dental specialist. Our doctors will not only give recommendations for use, but also, if necessary, prescribe a medical solution that is suitable for you.
Is there any point in using it?
You can also brush your teeth with a toothbrush. But only an irrigator can remove plaque and food particles from all hard-to-reach places, including various orthodontic structures, as much as possible.
Using a water jet, it literally washes them away from all hard-to-reach areas, thereby reducing the likelihood of caries. At the same time, it additionally massages the gums, improving their blood supply. Massage prevents the formation of periodontitis, and in combination with special medical solutions, it not only inhibits the development of its chronic form, but also treats it.
In most devices, the jet pressure can be adjusted, which significantly improves the quality of the procedure performed.
Who is contraindicated for ABPM?
ABPM is a relatively safe procedure that has a minimum of contraindications. However, in some cases this method has to be abandoned. Daily monitoring is not suitable for the following diseases:
- acute skin diseases in the shoulder area;
- thrombocytopenia, other blood diseases in the acute stage;
- previous injuries to the shoulder area or operations, after which compression (squeezing) of this area is contraindicated;
- obliterating lesions of the arteries of the upper limb (for example, with severe atherosclerosis with decreased blood supply to the extremities).
Heart rhythm disturbances make automatic blood pressure measurement difficult, but are not absolute contraindications to ABPM.
How to care for the irrigator, do you need to clean it specially?
All care rules are described in detail in the operating instructions.
Here are the manufacturers' recommendations for cleaning it after each use:
- Unplug the stationary appliance from the outlet.
- Drain off any remaining liquid.
- Rinse the tank and nozzles under running water, even if you used regular boiled water.
- Wipe with a soft cloth and dry all elements.
- Your device is ready for further use!
Here are some additional recommendations:
- Do not leave residual liquid in the reservoir.
- To clean the internal elements from scale, use only a special cleaning agent.
- Do not use abrasives or alcohol solutions to clean the housing.
- Always unplug the stationary device from the outlet.
- Do not immerse the device in water or other liquid.
- Remove any residue and dry the device before traveling in the cold season.
As you can see, caring for it is as easy as a regular electric kettle.
How effective is the device?
High results from using the device are built into the principle of its operation. Mechanical removal of germs, plaque and food particles using a water jet will allow you to efficiently clean many places that toothbrushes, orthodontic brushes and other dental cleaning devices cannot reach. In addition, the pressure in most devices can be adjusted, which significantly improves the quality of the procedure.
