BY GEORGE NAVA TRUE II
LAST Saturday, we talked about the causes and symptoms of low blood pressure (hypotension). Today, we’ll focus on its treatment.
If you have symptoms of low blood pressure, the doctor will try to find what’s causing it. If your medicines are to blame, the physician may order you to change them or lower the dose.
In cases where no clear cause can be found, the doctor will try to raise your blood pressure to reduce symptoms. The Mayo Clinic said this is can be done in several ways depending on your health and age:
* Add more salt to food. This normally raises blood pressure and is recommended for people with hypotension. Consult a doctor about this since too much salt can lead to heart failure in the elderly.
* Drink a lot of water. Fluids increase blood volume and help prevent dehydration which is good for hypotension.
* Get medicated. Hypotension that occurs when you stand up (orthostatic hypotension) can be treated with the drug fludrocortisone. Another common medicine is midodrine that restricts the ability of blood vessels to expand, thereby increasing blood pressure.
* Wear compression stockings. These elastic stockings are often used to relieve the pain and swelling of varicose veins but they can also help increase blood pressure. If you feel uncomfortable with them, you can try using elastic abdominal binders.
Try these at home
You can also try these home remedies for hypotension:
* Avoid alcohol. Even moderate drinking is bad since this is dehydrating and can lower blood pressure. Go for water instead.
* Change your position. Avoid squatting and don’t sit with your legs crossed. To reduce the symptoms of hypotension while standing, cross your thighs in a scissors fashion and squeeze. You can also put one foot on a ledge or chair and lean forward as far as possible.
* Eat small, low-carb meals. To prevent hypotension after eating, consume small portions several times a day, and limit foods like bread, potatoes, rice, and pasta.
* Get moving. Exercise for 30 to 60 minutes daily to raise your heart rate and do resistance exercises two or three days weekly. Don’t do this in hot, humid conditions.
* Have some coffee. Yes, drinking one or two strong cups of caffeinated coffee or tea with breakfast is good for people with low blood pressure. But don’t do this throughout the day or you will become less sensitive to caffeine and become dehydrated.
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National Press Club and Philippine Dental Association awardee George N. True II has written two bestsellers based on his popular column that has been running for almost 40 years. For questions about health, email georgenavatrue@yahoo.com.
