The main symptoms of orthodox hypotension, its causes and diagnosis
A sharp drop in blood pressure, which leads to dizziness and sometimes fainting, is called orthostatic hypotension. This condition arises because the blood supply to the brain is sharply reduced.
How not to confuse the main symptoms of the disease
Most people who suffer from this ailment complain of severe dizziness and weakness. Sometimes the symptoms of orthostatic hypotension are manifested in blurred vision. It can occur when a person suddenly stands up from the bed or just climbs from his seat after a long sitting.
To aggravate symptoms, factors such as heavy food and alcohol, severe physical activity and persistent fatigue can occur. Fainting and cramps are already the most dangerous manifestations of this condition. They are caused by a strong decrease in blood flow in the brain.
So, the general symptoms of the described state:
- Weakness;
- Convulsions;
- Dizziness;
- Syncope;
What causes this condition to develop?
Orthostatic hypotension can not be called a disease in the literal sense of the word. This condition is described precisely as the inability of blood vessels to maintain blood pressure. There can be a huge number of reasons.
For example, when a person gets up, the force of gravity causes the accumulation of blood in the veins of the legs and the organs that are located in the lower part of the body. This reduces the amount of blood that must return to the heart. Accordingly, the heart ejects less blood, which leads to lower blood pressure. The organism reacts to this state instantly. The heart starts to beat often, its contractions become stronger, the blood vessels narrow. If the body's reactions to these processes are delayed, then orthostatic hypotension will arise.
Very often, this state in a person develops as a side reaction to certain drugs. In particular, drugs that are prescribed for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Especially often it is possible to observe the development of orthostatic hypotension on the background of taking medications in the elderly. Reduce the amount of blood in the body can diuretic drugs. Increase the capacity of blood vessels, but lower blood pressure can drugs designed to dilate blood vessels.
The amount of blood in the human body may decrease due to severe bleeding or loss of a huge amount of fluid( can be caused by vomiting, diarrhea, diabetes mellitus or excessive sweating).
Alcohol, drugs for the treatment of depression are another reason for the appearance of the described state. They suppress the nerve endings that are in the arteries. Very often orthostatic hypotension is a side effect of such diseases as diabetes, spinal cord trauma and amyloidosis.
How doctors diagnose and treat orthostatic hypotension
Diagnosis of this condition is fairly simple. The patient himself complains of all the symptoms of the disease. The diagnosis can be confirmed by measuring blood pressure. When a person sits down, it will be normalized, and when it rises, it will fall significantly.
Treatment of orthostatic hypotension depends on the general state of human health. If the condition has arisen as a complication in a person with high blood pressure or diabetes, the predictions will be worse. If the cause of the condition is low blood volume or the use of a certain type of medication, then the condition can be easily adjusted.
If the cause of the condition can not be eliminated, that it can always be reduced, or to minimize the possible symptoms of hypotension. For example, people who suffer from the described state should not stand up abruptly or sit down, they are not advised to stand for a long time. Elastic bandaging will help if the cause of the condition is the accumulation of blood in the vessels of the legs. If hypotension has arisen because of the constant necessary bed rest, then you can just try to sit every day a little longer.
Such drugs as gutron and ephedrine will help maintain blood pressure at an unnecessary level. The amount of blood can increase if you consume more salt. If there are no contraindications, then salt in the diet in general is better not to limit. Elderly with orthostatic hypotension, doctors recommend drinking plenty of fluids and completely giving up alcohol.
Hypotension arterial orthostatic, of course, an unpleasant condition. A person never knows what to expect from his body and how he behaves. It is especially difficult for those whose work is related to constant sitting and jumping from the place( for example, in the office) or to those who need to stand for a long time at work. But this condition can not be called a disease. With the right approach to their health, lifestyle and nutrition, all manifestations of this unpleasant condition can be minimized.
If you do not get any help yourself, then, of course, you need to contact a specialist who will correct the course of treatment and ask him the right direction.