Low Blood Pressure (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
Alternative/complementary treatment of hypotension (low blood pressure)
Emergency treatment
- If a person faints from low blood pressure, seek immediate medical attention (call an ambulance on 000, if they do not respond or awaken)
- If a person is seriously injured and bleeding, call an ambulance on 000
- If a person passes out and stops breathing, immediately start CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and call an ambulance on 000
Do not use alternative / complementary treatment for any serious injuries or illness, which require emergency treatment. Other than an emergency situation, always discuss any alternative/complementary treatment for low blood pressure with your doctor before trying any of it.
These are some of the main strategies for dealing with low blood pressure, depending on the cause:
Herbs
There are a no herbs which are recommended to help to provide relief for symptoms.
Vitamins
There are a number of vitamins which may help to provide relief for symptoms:
- Folic acid - if there is a folic acid deficiency which is causing anaemia this vitamin will be required to be supplemented and/or foods rich in folic acid included in the diet to top up levels
- Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) - if there is a vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) deficiency which is causing anaemia this vitamin will be required to be supplemented and/or foods rich in vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) included in the diet to top up levels
Minerals
There are a number of minerals which may help to provide relief for symptoms:
- Chloride - people who have been sweating too much (either through a hot environment, from exercising a lot or from an infection) need to have their electrolytes balanced by replacement with an electrolyte formula that includes chloride (as well as sodium and potassium)
- Iron - women who are pregnant need extra iron to nourish their growing baby and women who have heavy menstrual blood loss need extra iron to replace the iron lost each month and to prevent anaemia
- Potassium - people who have been sweating too much (either through a hot environment, from exercising a lot or from an infection) need to have their electrolytes balanced by replacement with an electrolyte formula that includes potassium (as well as sodium and chloride)
- Sodium - people who have been sweating too much (either through a hot environment, from exercising a lot or from an infection) need to have their electrolytes balanced by replacement with an electrolyte formula that includes sodium (as well as chloride and potassium). People with a condition that causes a sodium deficiency will require sodium supplements to help improve symptoms
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Other nutrients
There are a no other nutrients recommended to provide relief of symptoms.
Dietary modifications
There are a number of dietary modification strategies which may help to provide relief for symptoms:
- Eat foods rich in folic acid - if a folic acid deficiency has been identified and which is causing anaemia, it may be advisable to eat foods rich in this nutrient to help the body absorb more into the blood. Supplements may also be recommended to increase folic acid levels and reduce the low blood pressure symptoms from the anaemia
- Eat foods rich in iron - if an iron deficiency has been identified and which is causing anaemia, it may be advisable to eat foods rich in this nutrient to help the body absorb more into the blood. Supplements may also be recommended to increase iron levels and reduce the low blood pressure symptoms from the anaemia
- Eat foods rich in vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) - if a vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) deficiency has been identified and which is causing anaemia, it may be advisable to eat foods rich in this nutrient to help the body absorb more into the blood. Intravenous injections or supplements may also be recommended to increase vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) levels and reduce the low blood pressure symptoms from the anaemia
Lifestyle modifications
There are a number of lifestyle modifications which may help to provide relief for symptoms:
- Manage anaemia effectively - people with anaemia must eat more foods rich in iron and/or take iron supplements, based on the doctor's recommendation, if their anaemia is caused by an iron deficiency. If the anaemia is caused by other deficiency (folic acid, vitamin B12), take supplements as recommended and/or eat foods rich in these nutrients. If the anaemia is due to another cause, follow the doctor's instructions for treatment
- Manage diabetes effectively - people with diabetes need to ensure they are following their doctor's instructions to manage their condition properly, so that symptoms do not worsen and the condition does not progress to a more advanced stage. Use the medication prescribed, engage in exercise that is recommended, follow dietary recommendations and visit the doctor regularly to monitor the condition
- Manage heart disease effectively - people with heart disease (atherosclerosis, angina, high blood pressure, high blood triglycerides levels, high cholesterol) need to ensure they are following their doctor's instructions to manage their condition properly, so that symptoms do not worsen and the condition does not progress to a more advanced stage. Use the medication prescribed, engage in exercise that is recommended, follow dietary recommendations and visit the doctor regularly to monitor the condition
- Pregnancy care - women who are pregnant must take care to ensure their diet is rich in all the nutrients at the higher level recommended for the healthy growth of their baby. Adequate iron intake is recommended and your doctor will recommend if supplements are necessary
Alternative treatments
There are a no other alternative treatments recommended to provide relief of symptoms.
Always ensure that you notify your medical practitioner of any supplements that you want to take - it may interfere with other medication or conditions you have. Confirm with your doctor it is safe to take BEFORE you try it.
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