Losartin (Cozaar®) 2

This particular drug works okay in controlling hypertension, however, the best way to control high blood pressure is through lifestyle changes in eating habits and exercise.

Should everyone with high blood pressure just take a diuretic? High blood pressure is a complex problem. Some people respond to one drug, some to another, and some need more than one. It would make sense, though, to start with a diuretic, and use expensive drugs such as Losartin only when other alternatives haven't worked.

Are natural therapies a better alternative to some drugs? If you look at the data rather than listen to the drug ads, you see that natural alternatives, such as improved diet and routine exercise, often are far more effective than drugs at achieving real health improvements, such as less heart disease and longer life.

And yes there is a cure, one that is an all natural, alternative medicine. But many patients prefer pills because they're easier. There is no question that many of us would rather take a pill than change our lifestyle. If the pills worked, it would simply be a question of how we want to spend our money.

The problem is that the pills often are closer to folk medicine -- empowered by our cultural beliefs but without a genuine scientific basis. About two-thirds of our health is determined by the way we live our lives, and -- for better or worse -- no pills can change that.

What's the solution? Most doctors don't invest much time or energy helping patients to make healthful changes in diet and exercise or teaching stress reduction. If you are willing to consider these approaches before trying drug treatment, tell your doctor. When medication is necessary, ask your doctor if a generic drug is just as effective as the expensive brand-name product. Remember, drug ads that tell you to "ask your doctor" about a particular drug have a single purpose -- to sell more drugs, not to improve your health.