Blood pressure is the reference to the force exerted by blood, as it circulates through the blood vessels in the body. Typically, arteries have thicker walls as compared to those of the veins, and this accounts for higher arterial blood pressure. Blood pressure that is measured refers to the pressure exerted by blood on the walls of the arteries. This can be of a higher range or a lower range than the normal blood pressure values. You can regard this vital parameter of your body as a good indicator of your health and fitness. Low blood pressure, or hypotension as it is scientifically termed, indicates a lower force with which the blood is being pumped through the blood vessels. This, in turn, reduces the supply of blood and nutrients to all parts of the body. Blood pressure of an individual can be termed low when benchmarked against normal blood pressure, which is 120/80 mm of mercury in most individuals. The nature of the symptoms experienced requires medical attention as per their degree of severity. The human body tends to correct blood pressure variations on its own, though medication may be needed in certain cases. Low blood pressure becomes a significant medical condition only when its symptoms get worse; in most mild cases, the individual can lead a normal life.Symptoms for Low Blood Pressure
A person who has constant low blood pressure but does not display any of the symptoms that cause discomfort is said to have asymptomatic hypotension. Orthostatic hypotension occurs when an individual stands up suddenly from a sitting or prostate position. The drop in blood pressure gets rectified after resting for a while. Neutrally mediated hypotension is another form of low blood pressure where a person feels light headed and dizzy after being in a standing position for some time. The person then needs adequate rest to recover. Apart from these types of low blood pressure, hypotension leading to shock can occur due to diverse factors. Here, sufficient blood supply to the vital organs like the brain and kidneys is restricted. This is a situation that calls for immediate medical attention.
Some common symptoms for low blood pressure include:
• Dizziness or a feeling of light headedness
• Blurred vision
• A feeling of being confused
• Excessive weariness or fatigue
• Feeling nauseous or sick
These symptoms for low blood pressure occur when a drop is caused due to orthostatic hypotension or neutrally mediated hypotension. In either case, adequate rest is required. Any increase in the intensity of the symptoms calls for medical attention, at the earliest. On the other hand, hypotension resulting from a person slipping into shock is an emergency situation and medical attention is required immediately.
In case the supply of blood to the vital organs decreases, a person can begin to feel drowsy or start sweating profusely. The individual’s skin may also appear pale and take on a bluish hue. The person may also have a weak but fast paced pulse. The lack of adequate blood supply and nutrients to the tissues of the body can be manifested as rapid breaths or gasps taken in succession. In such situations, try to obtain medical services for the person on an emergency basis. The diagnosis of low blood pressure or hypotension is made with the help of a physical examination and in accordance with the patient’s response to certain questions. In certain cases, blood tests are run to rule out anaemia, which is a reduced level of haemoglobin in the blood, or low blood sugar as the cause for hypotension.
Low blood pressure Symptoms, Causes, Remedy and Diet
Causes for Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure can be caused due to a number of stimuli, both internal and external. The determination of the right cause for hypotension is essential to administer adequate treatment, if required.
• Dehydration is a common cause for lowering of blood pressure in an individual. If adequate amounts of fluids are not replaced in the body after a period of loss due to any illness or fatigue, the person can feel light headed or nauseated. This can lead to a fall in blood pressure levels when there is any change in posture or if you indulge in any sudden activity.
• A person who has been bleeding for a while, owing to the effects of surgery or due to any internal condition can also experience symptoms of low blood pressure. This arises due to the decrease in the volume of blood that can be supplied to all parts of the body.
• Any inflammation in the body can also lead to a drop in blood pressure. This is felt as the blood supply gets concentrated around the site of inflammation and blood supply to other parts of the body is reduced.
• The heart is in a way the driving force for your body as it performs the vital task of supplying blood and nutrients to all parts of the body. Hence, any failure or weakness in this organ can lead to a fall in blood pressure in the body. This may be due to the inability of the heart to pump blood or an inflammation or obstruction that restricts the flow of blood.
• Certain medications when used for a period of time, or even in small doses, can cause hypotension. Commonly used medications that may have such an effect include calcium channel blockers and beta blockers. Medicines administered for treating high blood pressure can also reduce blood pressure to dangerously low levels. Medication used to treat depression can also result in lowered pressure of blood flowing through the blood vessels of your body.
Other causes for low blood pressure include any infection in the body and a drop after micturition or urination or due to external stimuli like fear or shock.
• Dehydration is a common cause for lowering of blood pressure in an individual. If adequate amounts of fluids are not replaced in the body after a period of loss due to any illness or fatigue, the person can feel light headed or nauseated. This can lead to a fall in blood pressure levels when there is any change in posture or if you indulge in any sudden activity.
• A person who has been bleeding for a while, owing to the effects of surgery or due to any internal condition can also experience symptoms of low blood pressure. This arises due to the decrease in the volume of blood that can be supplied to all parts of the body.
• Any inflammation in the body can also lead to a drop in blood pressure. This is felt as the blood supply gets concentrated around the site of inflammation and blood supply to other parts of the body is reduced.
• The heart is in a way the driving force for your body as it performs the vital task of supplying blood and nutrients to all parts of the body. Hence, any failure or weakness in this organ can lead to a fall in blood pressure in the body. This may be due to the inability of the heart to pump blood or an inflammation or obstruction that restricts the flow of blood.
• Certain medications when used for a period of time, or even in small doses, can cause hypotension. Commonly used medications that may have such an effect include calcium channel blockers and beta blockers. Medicines administered for treating high blood pressure can also reduce blood pressure to dangerously low levels. Medication used to treat depression can also result in lowered pressure of blood flowing through the blood vessels of your body.
Other causes for low blood pressure include any infection in the body and a drop after micturition or urination or due to external stimuli like fear or shock.
Low blood pressure home remedies and natural cures, Questions and answers
Remedies for Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure responds well to home remedies for low blood pressure that are used in most cases. A condition of low blood pressure becomes critical depending in the severity of its symptoms. It needs to be ensured that further harm or injury is not caused in a person experiencing hypotension. Natural remedies for low blood pressure can be resorted to immediately and without much difficulty. In mild cases of hypotension, low blood pressure treatment at home might be sufficient to reverse the symptoms and aid recovery.
• A drink of raw beetroot juice daily and kept up for a fortnight or so is said to help relieve the symptoms of low blood pressure.
• A hot Epsom salt bath some time before retiring for the night is also said to be beneficial in mitigating the signs and symptoms of low blood pressure.
• On experiencing any feeling of dizziness or nausea, an individual needs to be aware of how to control low blood pressure symptoms and possibly prevent recurrence. This includes an increase in the intake of fluids that increase the volume and supply of blood to all parts of the body.
• A natural cure for low blood pressure is the use of asafetida in food as it aids in the increase of blood pressure. Eating raisins in the morning, after they have been soaked overnight in water is another natural treatment for low blood pressure. You should do this on any empty stomach.
• Practicing yoga breathing exercises that improve the supply of blood to all tissues of the body is also a good means of managing low blood pressure.
• A drink of raw beetroot juice daily and kept up for a fortnight or so is said to help relieve the symptoms of low blood pressure.
• A hot Epsom salt bath some time before retiring for the night is also said to be beneficial in mitigating the signs and symptoms of low blood pressure.
• On experiencing any feeling of dizziness or nausea, an individual needs to be aware of how to control low blood pressure symptoms and possibly prevent recurrence. This includes an increase in the intake of fluids that increase the volume and supply of blood to all parts of the body.
• A natural cure for low blood pressure is the use of asafetida in food as it aids in the increase of blood pressure. Eating raisins in the morning, after they have been soaked overnight in water is another natural treatment for low blood pressure. You should do this on any empty stomach.
• Practicing yoga breathing exercises that improve the supply of blood to all tissues of the body is also a good means of managing low blood pressure.
Low blood pressure : Home Remedies suggested by users
Diet for Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure can be managed rather effectively with a suitable diet plan. A low blood pressure diet includes lots of fresh fruit and milk. In addition to this, the person should increase his levels of hydration through an increased intake of fluids. Alcohol and caffeinated beverages dilate the blood vessels and cause blood pressure level fluctuations. Hence, these are best avoided in a low blood pressure diet. Adequate sleep is also helpful in mitigating the weariness caused due to low blood pressure. Ongoing research in the field of nutrition suggests that proteins and vitamins B and C may be helpful for treating low blood pressure. Your doctor would normally recommend a particular diet plan and it would be best to ask him/her for detailed advice.
Suggestions for Low Blood Pressure
If you experience any of the symptoms of low blood pressure or are diagnosed with the condition, make it a point to inform your doctor of any other medications that you may be on. Some medications are known to cause a drop in your blood pressure and doctors will usually provide patients with an alternative. Caregivers can also ensure that an individual displaying signs and symptoms of hypotension is given ample rest. Symptoms like nausea and dizziness or fainting can result in serious injury and accidents, which is why you need to exercise a great deal of caution.
In mild cases of hypotension, the human body aids in speedy recovery if the patient receives adequate rest. Extreme cases of low blood pressure call for immediate medical aid on an emergency basis. Caretakers need to maintain their presence of mind and treat the symptoms accordingly, thus easing all discomfort due to the drop in blood pressure levels.
In mild cases of hypotension, the human body aids in speedy recovery if the patient receives adequate rest. Extreme cases of low blood pressure call for immediate medical aid on an emergency basis. Caretakers need to maintain their presence of mind and treat the symptoms accordingly, thus easing all discomfort due to the drop in blood pressure levels.