(Hypotension)
 |
print the page |  |
email the page |  |
|
- 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
Living with hypotension (low blood pressure)
There are a number of strategies which are recommended to help deal with hypotension (low blood pressure), depending on the cause:
- Adequate fluid intake - irrespective of the cause of the low blood pressure (hypotension), you must ensure you are drinking enough water each day, to keep your body well hydrated. Approximately eight glasses is the recommended amount, but increase this if you are exercising a lot or sweating a lot to replace the water you are losing
- Get up slowly - if you start to feel dizzy if you get up quickly, you need to make sure you get up slowly, a little at a time and lean on something solid to help you on your way up. This cause of low blood pressure (hypotension) tends to affect older people and those with an infection
- Increase iron intake - if you are pregnant or have heavy menstrual blood loss, you must increase your intake of foods rich in iron, to top up your iron levels. Pregnant women need more iron due to their developing baby and women with heavy periods lose more blood than normal and need to top up iron levels
Advertisement
- Monitor side effects from medications - if you are taking any blood pressure lowering medications and you start to experience symptoms of low blood pressure (hypotension), you need to consult with your doctor, as you may need to have your medication adjusted. If you are taking any other medication and start to experience symptoms of low blood pressure (hypotension), ensure to tell your doctor as this could be a side effect from your medication and your doctor may switch to a different type
- Monitor your diabetes - if you start to experience the symptoms of low blood pressure (hypotension) and you also have diabetes, you must inform your doctor, as this could mean your condition is worsening, or your medications are not working effectively to manage your condition
- Rest - no matter what the cause of the low blood pressure (hypotension), it is important to rest, to give your body more energy to more effectively deal with the underlying cause
Advertisement
Advertisement
Sections: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
< 10: alternative treatment 12: caregiving > Last reviewed: 10 November 2007 || Last updated: 3 January 2009
Related Articles
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.
