Introduction:

Blood Pressure is an important parameter of human health. It is generally advisable to maintain our blood pressure within normal levels. Any variation in the blood pressure readings may be due to different underlying causes. Blood pressure can either increase and is known as high blood pressure (hypertension) or decrease and is known as low blood pressure (hypotension). The normal blood pressure readings are 120/80mmHg but a person is supposed to suffer from low pressure if he/she has blood pressure readings of 90/60 mm Hg or lower.

More About Hypotension:

In hypotension the pressure of the blood is low and this makes blood supply to all organs of the body difficult. Lesser quantity of blood to organs can damage them and will give rise to symptoms such as dizziness when adequate quantity of blood is not supplied to the brain. A person with hypotension faces characteristic symptoms such as fainting, dizziness, increased thirst, nausea and lightheadedness. Postural changes, heart disease, kidney diseases, shock, dehydration, pregnancy, endocrine disorders, inflammation, weak heart muscles, slow and fast heart rate can all be considered as underlying conditions that causes hypotension.

Treatment of Low Blood Pressure:

It is to be understood that low blood pressure needs to be treated only if it is causing symptoms and treatment options can be ignored if no major symptoms are experienced. Some of the treatments for hypotension are as follows:

• In the case of hypotension caused due to posture changes, it is advisable to get up slowly from bed or do some other simple physical activities before actually moving from bed. This helps increasing blood flow and heart rate.
• Limiting alcohol intake
• Increasing the salt and water intake will reduce hypotension caused due to dehydration
• If low pressure is caused as a reaction to some medications altering the dose or changing the medicine will reduce the symptoms.
• Any underlying condition causing hypotension should be treated to get relief from the condition
• Regular mild physical exercise. Lifting heavy things and strenuous exercise should be avoided.
• Compression stockings which cover the calf and thigh areas will help in reducing the flow to the lower part of the body
• Doctors may prescribe tablets for low blood pressure in rare cases which aims to increase blood flow or constrict arteries to increase the blood pressure. Tablets are prescribed to increase sodium retention by kidneys.

Some of the Home Remedies for Hypotension:

• Half teaspoon of salt in a cup of water helps in increasing the low blood pressure.
• Ingesting soaked raisins (around 30 to 40) in an empty stomach will help immensely
• A juice of basil leaves on an empty stomach is also a good remedy for hypotension
• 10 ml of Rosemary infusion or tincture acts on the central nervous system and increases the blood flow thus reducing the symptoms of low pressure.
• Raw beetroot juice
• Having milk boiled with soaked almond paste is also a traditional home remedy.
• A cup of fresh carrot juice mixed with honey helps to alleviate the symptoms of low blood pressure.
• Lemon juice taken with salt or sugar helps in treating both high and low blood pressure.

Conclusion:

Though the symptoms of low blood pressure are quite negligent and do not cause any serious side effects they should not be ignored. The underlying cause for the low pressure should be diagnosed and treated which would treat the condition automatically. Lifestyle changes and home remedies can easily relive us from the symptoms of the condition.