(Hypotension)
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- What is hypotension?
- Symptoms of hypotension
- Causes of hypotension
- Prevention of hypotension
- Risk factors for hypotension
- Complications of hypotension
- When to see a doctor about hypotension
- Diagnosis of hypotension
- Conventional treatment of hypotension
- Alternative/complementary treatment of hypotension
- Living with hypotension
- Caring for someone with hypotension
Prevention of hypotension (low blood pressure)
Hypotension (low blood pressure) may be unpreventable in certain circumstances:
- Adrenal glands problems - malfunctioning of the adrenal glands can cause blood pressure to lower. This is because the adrenal glands control many hormones which regulate the levels of sodium in the body and as sodium is linked to blood pressure levels, when it is too low, it can cause blood pressure to lower too much
- Heart attack - in the event of a heart attack, the blood flow to the heart is seriously hampered and this will lower blood pressure to dangerous levels and requires immediate and urgent medical assistance
- Infection - sometimes a bacterial or viral infection may lower blood pressure, especially when high fever and even diarrhoea and vomiting has been present for a number of days and there has been a subsequent loss of electrolytes (which includes sodium)
- Severe blood loss - if there is an accidental injury to the body which causes a great deal of blood loss, low blood pressure is the result as the amount of blood in the body is not at adequate level. This will usually cause shock too and is a medical emergency
- Shock - this occurs when there is a serious and sudden drop of blood flow in the body and results in seriously low blood pressure. Shock can occur after a serious injury to the body and is a medical emergency
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There are ways to prevent hypotension (low blood pressure) from occurring:
- Anaemia - some types of anaemia are due to a deficiency of certain nutrients (iron, folic acid) and these types are normally preventable by ensuring the diet is rich in foods high in these nutrients
- Excessive alcohol intake - drinking excessively can cause dehydration (especially the next day) which can lower blood pressure, as well as cause a number of other adverse health effects
- Heavy menstruation - some women have very heavy bleeding each month, especially in the first 1-3 days of their menstrual cycle. The heavier than normal blood loss can cause blood pressure to lower more than normal and they may experience symptoms. While it may be difficult to prevent the heavy blood loss (especially if it is part of their normal menstrual cycle), foods high in iron and folic acid should be part of the diet prior to and during the first few days of the menstrual cycle to counter the heavy blood loss and prevent lowered blood pressure. Alternatively, supplements may be used, but only after they have received professional advice that it is safe to do so (as they may not be deficient)
- Hypoglycaemia - when food intake is not regular and not adequate, it can cause temporary lowered blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia) and this is easily preventable by eating at least three meals a day with some healthy snacks in between
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< 3: causes 5: risk factors > Last reviewed: 10 November 2007 || Last updated: 3 January 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
