Low Blood Pressure – What are Low Blood Pressure Treatments? | Treatment Of Low Blood Pressure | Low Blood Pressure Treatments
If you have postural hypotension, your treatment will depend on the underlying cause. For example, if you are taking drugs for the treatment of high blood pressure and these are causing your blood pressure to drop too much, your doctor may switch you to a different type of drug. This is normally only the case if you are taking drugs called diuretics or alpha blockers most drugs for high blood pressure only lower blood pressure to a level that is beneficial.
Low blood pressure or hypotension occurs when the blood pressure is lower than normal. This “normal” blood pressure range will vary from individual to individual, however it is an average of 90/60 or less. These numbers represent the systolic pressure (in this case 90) and the second number, the diastolic pressures.
Hypotension appears with a series of classic symptoms, like dizziness, fatigue, confusion, anxiety, thirst and fainting among others. Once your doctor has given you a proper diagnose, you’ll need to focus on your low blood pressure treatment. Some cases of hypotension are caused by an underlying condition; in these cases the doctor will indicate a treatment of the condition.
If it is a case of chronic hypotension, the low blood pressure system will include a series of changes in habits and lifestyle. These recommendations must be followed to maintain a good health and keep the blood pressure from getting too low.
To start, you will need to change your diet, for example you will need to add more salty food or add more salt toy our food to increase your blood pressure levels. You will also need to reduce your alcohol intake while increasing the amount of water you drink, sports drinks are also recommended if you are going to sweat a lot (like during summer or practicing sports), finally you’ll need to lower your caffeine intake or fully avoid it.
Exercise is also of big importance if you want to increase blood flow. If you have low blood pressure, you’ll need to also take care of yourself when going from a lying to a standing position. This must be done slowly, You’ll need to avid certain activities like heavy lifting and straining.
Postural hypotension can be treated by increasing water and salt intake, increasing intake of caffeinated beverages because caffeine constricts blood vessels, using compression stockings to compress the leg veins and reduce the pooling of blood in the leg veins, and in some patients, the use of a medication called midodrine (ProAmatine). The problem with ProAmatine is that while it increases blood pressure in the upright position, the supine blood pressure may become too high, thus increasing the risk of strokes. Mayo Clinic researchers found that a medication used to treat muscle weakness in Myasthenia gravis called pyridostigmine (Mestinon) increases upright blood pressure but not supine blood pressure. Mestinon, an anticholinesterase medication, works on the autonomic nervous system, especially when a person is standing up. Side effects include minor abdominal cramping or increased frequency of bowel movements. *Note: Increasing salt intake can lead to heart failure in patients with existing heart disease and should not be undertaken without consulting a doctor.
1.Eat small frequent meals, rather than large ones – this will help you to prevent postprandial hypotension (low blood pressure after you have eaten). Lying down after eating, or sitting still for a while, may also help.
2.Avoid caffeine at night, and limit your alcohol intake – this will help you to avoid dehydration, which can cause low blood pressure.
3.Raise the head of your bed, or use extra pillows under your head. This will increase the flow of blood in your body and will also make it easier when you need to get up.
4.Wear support stockings, sometimes called compression stockings. These are tight fitting elastic socks or tights. They provide extra pressure to your feet, legs, and abdomen, which will help stimulate your circulation and increase your blood pressure.
5.Stand up gradually, particularly first thing in the morning. It may also be useful to try some other physical movements first to increase your heart rate and the flow of blood around your body. For example, stretching in bed before you get up, or crossing and uncrossing your legs if you are seated and about to stand.
6.Wear Compression Stockings: The same elastic stockings commonly used to relieve the pain and swelling of varicose veins may help reduce the pooling of blood in your legs.
7.Drink more water:Although nearly everyone can benefit from drinking enough water, this is especially true if you have low blood pressure. Fluids increase blood volume and help prevent dehydration, both of which are important in treating hypotension.
8.Use More Salt:Experts usually recommend limiting the amount of salt in your diet because sodium can raise blood pressure, sometimes dramatically. For people with low blood pressure, that can be a good thing. But because excess sodium can lead to heart failure, especially in older adults, it’s important to check with your doctor before increasing the salt in your diet.
Very few people are prescribed medication for hypotension. The symptoms of hypotension can be usually be treated by making these small changes to your lifestyle and, in particular, by increasing your fluid and salt intake.
If medication is necessary, it will usually be medicines to expand the volume of your blood, or to constrict (narrow) your arteries. By increasing your blood, or decreasing your arteries, your blood pressure will increase, as there will be more blood flowing through a smaller space.
The patient must assume breathing and other light movements like walking, swimming and cycling. The patient must take sun and air baths and pay out as much time as possible in the fresh air.All living habits which tend to weaken the system, such as overwork, excesses of all kinds, needless worry, and negative thinking must be removed as far as possible.
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