Home Remedies for Low Blood pressure

Low blood pressure or hypotension refers to the fall in blood pressure below normal. It is a condition in which the action of the heart, in forcing the blood through the arteries, is weak. This is a direct outcome of a weakened and devitalised system.

What is considered to be low blood pressure?

Blood pressure is basically a measurement of the pressure exerted by blood flow on the walls of the arteries, as it is pumped through the body to the various organs. While high blood pressure or hypertension is quite well defined, low blood pressure is usually relative and not an absolute. While the normal measurement of blood pressure is 120/80 mm hg this level could vary quite widely among different individuals, and low blood pressure simply refers to the abnormality, where the blood pressure of the person is much lower than the normal. Low blood pressure symptoms include fatigue, headaches, dizziness or light headedness, because of oxygen deprivation. This is because the reduced blood flow causes a poor supply of oxygen to the brain and other vital organs of the body.

It is important to keep in mind that since low blood pressure is relative to your normal blood pressure levels, what is defined as low blood pressure is likely to vary among individuals. Thus a low blood pressure reading for one person would be normal for another. It is therefore important to go for regular medical checkups to monitor blood pressure so that a drop in blood pressure can be swiftly identified. The normal range of blood pressure could vary from 90/60 mm Hg to 130/80 mm Hg. A drop of as little as 20 could be problematic for some people and if your normal blood pressure is in the higher range, a drop of 20 would still be seen as normal, which is why periodic testing is necessary. This is also important because low blood pressure symptoms may not always be evident.

Low blood pressure treatment is typically directed towards the underlying cause of the condition, and treatment directed towards blood pressure may not always be necessary. Low blood pressure treatment is generally based on the causes and may involve the use of both medications and home treatments like food and diet measures. Blood pressure does tend to fall because of dehydration, illness or blood loss, which is why recuperation and rehydration with oral rehydration solutions is advised. Home remedies for low blood pressure would for the most part constitute dietary measures, but the most important safeguard against low blood pressure is to keep yourself well hydrated. Treating low blood pressure with medications is not always advisable, as would be the case for low blood pressure during pregnancy, because of the inherent dangers.

Low blood pressure under normal circumstances can be quite healthy, and is generally more common among people who are of the ideal body weight, among non-smokers and athletes. Under such conditions the only effects of low blood pressure are positive, as there is a reduced risk of developing heart or kidney disease, or suffering a stroke. Low blood pressure is therefore quite healthy, so long as it is not low enough to cause typical low blood pressure symptoms. Very low blood pressure during pregnancy, after surgery or even after exercise may indicate certain risks. Low blood pressure symptoms will only be present when the reduced pressure starts to affect your bodily functions. The negative effects of low blood pressure could include long term damage to the various organs.

Low Blood Pressure Problems and Complications

The main dangers of low blood pressure stem from an inability of the heart to pump adequate blood to the various organs of the body. As a result the organs cannot function properly and there could be temporary or even permanent damage to the organs. Low blood pressure problems will generally manifest some symptoms.

Angina or Heart Attack:

An impaired blood flow to the coronary arteries, which are responsible for supplying blood to the heart muscles could cause a person to develop chest pain, symptomatic of angina, or the person could even experience a heart attack.

Kidney Damage or Failure: Reduced blood flow to the kidneys can impair their ability to eliminate wastes from the body, consequentially increasing the levels of these wastes and toxins in the blood. This can therefore create still more complications affecting various other organs of the body.

Organ Failure:

This is the main danger of low blood pressure. Very low blood pressure levels or persistently low blood pressure levels could lead to rapid deterioration and failure of the vital organs like the heart, brain, lungs, livers and kidneys, leading to death.

Low blood pressure symptoms

Lethargy, weakness, dizziness

The patient with chronic low blood pressure may complain of lethargy, weakness, fatigue, and dizziness. The patient may faint, especially if arterial pressure is lowered further when he assumes an erect position. These symptoms are presumably due to a decrease in perfusion of blood to the brain, heart, skeletal muscle, and other organs. Treat hypovolemic shocks with high blood pressure treatments. Control various blood pressures like systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure or orthostatic hypotension with blood pressure remedies. Adopt natural ways for lowering your blood pressure.

Low Blood Pressure Symptoms

Although low blood pressure symptoms may not necessarily be present in all individuals, feelings of fatigue, lethargy and mild depression could be indicative of low blood pressure. If there is very low blood pressure, it could affect the supply of blood to the brain, causing dizziness and episodes of fainting, particularly when you move from a reclining to standing position. This is often referred to as postural hypotension. This symptom can be problematic as it does increase the risk of further injury to yourself from possible falls. This symptom may also be connected to diabetes as damage to the nerves can affect normal regulation of blood pressure. This could also occur as because of certain medications.

Low blood pressure causes

Faulty Nutrition, Malnutrition

The most important cause of low blood pressure is faulty nutrition. It makes the tissues forming the walls of the blood vessels over-relaxed, and flabby or streched. This results in less supply of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. Malnutrition can result from a diet deficient in calories, proteins, vitamin C, or almost any one of the B vitamins.

Loss of Blood, Slow Internal Bleeding

Sometimes the blood pressure falls rapidly because of loss of blood. Low blood pressure may also develop gradually because of slow bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, or bladder.

Emotional Instability

Emotional problems are a far more frequent cause of low blood pressure. To a lesser degree, prolonged disappointment and frustration may result in a subnormal blood pressure.

Low Blood Pressure Causes

Any condition that causes a reduction in the volume of blood or in the amounts of blood that are pumped by the heart would cause low blood pressure symptoms. Medications for certain illnesses are also a frequent cause for low blood pressure.

Dehydration: Prolonged nausea, vomiting and diarrhea can cause severe dehydration, which could result in a reduction of blood pressure. Severe dehydration that is not addressed with adequate consumption of fluids and rehydration solutions can cause a significant drop in blood pressure. Heat strokes and severe exhaustion could also result in dehydration.

Heart disease: Weakened heart muscles can cause a drastic reduction in the flow of blood that is pumped by the heart causing very low blood pressure. Pericarditis and pulmonary embolism are some other possible heart conditions that could cause low blood pressure to develop. Certain medications: Medications used for surgery, anti anxiety drugs, diuretics, and some antidepressants can also cause low blood pressure.

Alcohol: Excessive consumption of alcohol could also be a cause for low blood pressure.

Low blood pressure home remedies

Low Blood Pressure Treatment using Beetroot

The juice of raw beetroot is one of the most effective home remedies for low blood pressure. The patient should drink a cup of this juice twice daily for treating this condition Considerable improvement will be noticeable within a week.

Low Blood Pressure Treatment using Indian Spikenard

The herb Indian spikenard is another effective home remedy for low blood pressure. It should be taken in doses of thirty to forty grains with a pinch of a little camphor and cinnamon (cinnamon). An infusion can also be prepared by steeping 15 to 20 gm of the herb in 250 ml of boiling water, and taking it thrice a day.

Low Blood Pressure Treatment using Epsom Salts Bath

Hot Epsom salt bath are one of the simplest remedy for low blood pressure. An Epsom salt bath is prepared by dissolving one to one and half kg of commercial Epsom Salt in an ordinary bath of hot water. The patient should remain immersed in the bath for ten to twenty minutes. This bath should be taken just before retiring to bed, and care should be exercised not to catch a chill afterwards.

Low Blood Pressure Treatment using Nutrients

Protein, vitamin C, and all vitamins of the B group have been found beneficial in the prevention and treatment of low blood pressure. Of these, pantothenic acid is of particular importance. Liberal use of this vitamin alone often helps in raising the blood pressure. A diet which contains adequate quantities of complete proteins, B vitamin and, particularly, the nutrients that stimulate adrenal production, quickly normalizes low blood pressure.

Low Blood Pressure Treatment using Salt

The use of salt is valuable in low blood pressure. Until the blood pressure reaches normal levels through proper dietary and other remedies, it is essential that the patient should take salty foods and half a teaspoon of salt in water daily.

Low blood pressure diet

Exclusive fruit diet

The treatment for low blood pressure should aim at rejuvenation of the whole system. To begin with, the patient should adopt an exclusive fresh fruit diet for about five days, taking three meals a day of fresh fruity fruits at five-hourly intervals.

Milk and fruit diet

Thereafter he may adopt a fruit and milk diet for two or three weeks. After the fruit and milk diet the patient may gradually embark upon a well balanced diets consisting of seeds nuts and grains with emphasis on fresh fruit and raw vegetables. Further period of all fruit diet followed by a milk and fruit diet may be necessary every two or three months in some cases, depending on the progress being made.

Other Low blood pressure treatment

Warm-Water Enema Treatment

A warm-water enema should be used daily to cleanse the bowels during the first few days of the treatment, and afterwards, if necessary. Those who are habitually constipated should take all the possible steps for its eradication. Daily dry friction and sponging should be undertaken by those suffering from low blood pressure.

Light Walking, Cycling, Swimming and Breathing Exercises

They should undertake breathing and other light exercises like walking , swimming and cycling. The patient should take sun and air baths and spend as much time as possible in the fresh air.

Avoid Excessive Work, Anxiety

All living habits which tend to enervate the system, such as overwork, excesses of all kinds, needless worry, and negative thinking must be eliminated as far as possible.