White Coat Syndrome

Nearly 10-20% people of the adult population all over the world is believed to suffer from a peculiar phenomenon known as the white coat syndrome. It is not clear whether it is actually a psychological phobia or a medical condition. Let us know more on it.

When suffering from this condition, a person is found to suffer from higher blood pressure when visiting a doctor. 'White coat' refers to the white coat of the doctor or the uniform of the nurse. It is usually observed in adults, but, in rare cases, it can also be seen in children.

White coat syndrome is different from hypertension. The terms are not to be used interchangeably. In this condition, the person has a normal or lower blood pressure in other environment except in hospitals or in clinical settings.

Peculiarly, it has been observed that people suffering from this disorder sometimes may and sometimes may not show signs of nervousness when in a vicinity of a doctor. In most of the cases, they are found to be extremely nervous and may even end up avoiding going to the hospital.

Whereas, hypertension refers to abnormally high blood pressure which can be caused due to several reasons.

The exact cause of this condition is unknown. However, there are several factors that can lead to this condition in people. The first and foremost cause is believed to be fear or phobia of doctors.

People having bad experiences in their past about hospitals, doctors or death, can suffer from an abnormal fear to be inside a hospital. On the other hand, fear of medical procedures or diseases can also cause anxiety. Sometimes, people are fully convinced that they suffer from a particular disease, and hence, may avoid going to the doctor for diagnosis.

White coat syndrome can be as harmful as hypertension. As there is a considerable rise in the blood pressure, there are chances of all health risks that a person is prone to have when suffering from hypertension.

However, the nature and severity of complications depend on several factors. One of the most important factor is to check how long the high blood pressure stays. If it remains high for a longer time, the person is at a higher risk of suffering from heart diseases.

It is very essential to check whether a person is suffering from hypertension or white coat syndrome. The only test to find out is to check the blood pressure of the person in and out of the hospital at different times. If the blood pressure shows drastic changes, then it is confirmed that the person suffers from this condition.

The doctor may prescribe medications to lower high blood pressure. However, the condition cannot be completely prevented. Although a permanent cure is not available, there are different psychological therapies that can help the patient overcome this condition. Firstly, it is essential to eradicate out fear from the person's mind.

Secondly, counseling can also help a lot for this purpose. It is also recommended to not to let the person visit the doctor alone.

This syndrome, if diagnosed, should be treated as early as possible in order to prevent it from getting converted into hypertension. You can also try going for natural methods for treating high blood pressure. Take care!

Disclaimer: This story is meant only to provide information. It is not to be used as a substitute for doctor's consultation and advice.