Not all people are battling high blood pressure. There are also those that are bugged by low blood pressure. Medically known as hypotension, this condition is characterized by blood pressure of 90/60 mm Hg or lower (120/80 mm Hg or lower is said to be optimal).
Low blood pressure can be a real problem if it’s accompanied by certain symptoms. Some of them include fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, palpitations, fainting, and cold, clammy skin.
There are many different potential causes of low blood pressure. Prolonged bed rest, dehydration, problems with the endocrine system, nutritional deficiencies, decrease in blood volume and heart disease are just some of them.
It is very important for you to be checked by a cardiologist, a doctor specializing in the heart and the blood vessels, if you experience hypotension with unfavorable symptoms.
Below are some effective home remedies for low blood pressure. Always remember that they should only be used as additions to the mode of treatment a specialist recommends.
Drink Plenty of Fluids
As earlier mentioned, one of the common reasons behind low blood pressure is dehydration. Making sure that you drink 8 to 12 glasses of water daily can help maintain normal blood volume, thus keeping hypotension at bay. If the weather is hot and you are sweating profusely, drink sufficient amounts of water to keep your body stay hydrated.
Eat Salty Foods
The consumption of salty foods may be done if you wish to slightly increase your blood pressure. As you may know by now, individuals with high blood pressure are recommended to cut back on salty stuff to keep their condition from worsening. That’s why your hypotension problem may be relieved by adding more salt in your diet.
Consume Caffeinated Drinks
A quick way to get rid of low blood pressure is by having a cup of your favorite java. Caffeine in coffee causes the blood vessels to constrict, thus resulting in a higher blood pressure. You may also opt for black tea, green tea, soda, energy drinks or anything else with caffeine if you are having a bout of low blood pressure accompanied by symptoms.
Munch on Holy Basil leaves
If you have holy basil in your small garden, you have a ready source of an effective remedy for low blood pressure. Many swear by chewing 4 to 5 pieces of holy basil leaves in dealing with hypotension. Especially if you do this every morning just before having your breakfast, you may keep low blood pressure from striking.
Have Small Meals
Going for large meals is a bad idea if you tend to suffer from low blood pressure often. That’s because it causes blood to be diverted to the stomach, causing the supply of blood elsewhere to wane. This leaves your blood pressure low. To avoid the problem, remember to have small, frequent meals instead of 3 large ones throughout the day.
Avoid Sudden Position Changes
Remember to slowly shift from one position to the next if you often find yourself having a bout of hypotension. Your body may take some time to realize that you moved to a different position, failing to adjust your blood pressure. You should also avoid standing, sitting or staying in a single position for an extended period of time to avoid hypotension.