Numbness, dizziness, fatigue and persistent weakness are common symptoms of low blood pressure. In this feature we will concentrate on the various facets like causes and types of blood pressure. We will also explore the dietary and lifestyle changes along with the home remedies available for low blood pressure.
Causes Of Low Blood Pressure
Heart disease like dysfunctional valves, arrhythmia can cause low blood pressure. People suffering from parkinson’s disease, diabetes, susceptibility or the ones who have had episodes of strokes and heart attack are known to suffer from low blood pressure.Prolonged gap between meals or positioning oneself in the same posture for a long time can lead to blood pressure suddenly and for a very short period of time. Some medicines can cause low blood pressure as a side effect, however this is a temporary condition and goes away once the medicines are stopped. Dehydration reduces the volume of blood which consequently leads to this condition.
Types Of Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure is also known as Hypotension and can be divided into three types- Postural, Hypotension, Postprandial Hypotension and neurally mediated hypotension. Postural means a drop in pressure as and when you stand. This happens when the body mechanism which regulates the blood flow against gravity fails.Postprandial hypotension is the type which is signified by drop in blood pressure after eating as the blood rushes towards stomach and balancing mechanism fails. The third and last type occurs due to mis-communication between heart and brain. The heart sends false signals of high blood pressure and brain acts to control it by lowering the pressure. In this process the blood pressure is lowered below the acceptable limits.
Home Remedies For Low Blood Pressure
If you chronically suffer from low blood pressure then home remedies can be really useful for you. If you are on medication then do not stop taking your dosages, home remedies can act over and above them. However, do consult your physician before including any of the remedies on regular basis as some of them may act as deterrent and interfere with the medicinal action rendering them useless.Salt It Up
Usually controlled and low intake of salt is recommended but for people suffering from low blood pressure there is nothing that acts as instantaneously as salt. The sodium in it increases the blood pressure and therefore, sudden lows in blood pressure can be effectively tackled with some salt.
You can add it to juice or plain water and gulp it down. However, even with low blood pressure, do not go too high on salt as it causes other problems like water retention and excessive sodium in blood flow. You can just add it to all the food items, juices and soft drinks that you might consume.
Beetroot Juice
Though most of us cringe at the sight of beet root, it is one vegetable that takes care of serious and chronic conditions like anaemia and low blood pressure. It is a very rich source of iron and thus its color. There is a direct relation between low blood pressure and anaemia as this condition causes reduction in blood volume.
Also beetroot juice widens the blood vessel encouraging the blood flow. Half a glass of beetroot juice is enough. You can also add some salt to it for taste and better results. If the juice does not appeal to you then simply add beetroot slices to all your gravies and food preparations and it will give out a beautiful rich color without altering the flavor.
Garlic
Garlic is known to breakdown cholesterol which makes it an effective remedy for problems related to blood pressure. It helps in regulating the blood pressure. Consume a clove or two of garlic on empty stomach with some warm water every day in the morning. This will clean up your digestive tract, help in flushing the toxins out of the body and normalize the blood pressure.
Fluids
Dehydration is a common cause behind low blood pressure. This happens because lack of enough hydration reduces the fluidity and volume of blood. This leads to low blood pressure as thick blood tends to move slowly and there is not enough volume in it to move through with enough pressure and reach various parts of the body. Intake of at least 2 liters of water or fruit and vegetable juice can restore the hydration levels bringing the blood pressure back to normal.
Raisins
Studies have found raisins to be very effective in curing low blood pressure. Soak 5-6 raisins overnight. Consume them in the morning on empty stomach. Chew them thoroughly. Raisins act as anti-oxidants and are rich source of potassium which optimizes the blood pressure. This property makes it suitable for both high as well as low blood pressure.
Almonds
Almonds are also known to balance the blood pressure. Soak 4-5 almonds in water overnight and peel them off in the morning. Consume them in the morning preferably on empty stomach. Add some sugar for increasing its potency. However do note that almonds are high on calorie and therefore their intake needs to be in limited quantity. Almond has omega 3 fatty acids which are also good for inflammation and internal healing of the body.
Dietary Remedies
Any person suffering from low blood pressure needs to be careful about what goes in his or her body. In fact diet is the single most important factor which can help in controlling the blood pressure. Saturated fats, sugar and the food items that lead to build up in the body must be avoided as high cholesterol can obstruct and cause low blood pressure. Onion, ginger and garlic should become your intakes in every meal as they are blood thinning agents and can expedite blood flow throughout the body. Substitute your regular milk with skimmed milk. Go high on green vegetables and high fiber food like oats. Remember to couple them up with high fluid intake.
Lifestyle Changes
Avoid prolonged periods of standing or being stationary in one posture. Exercise regularly and have some water and light snack before exercising. Some yoga postures are especially meant for regulating blood pressure, practice them regularly. Regular intake of food in important for people suffering from blood pressure. Prepare a schedule for eating and stick to it. Instead of having three major meals, spread them into smaller portions throughout the day. Avoid alcohol and smoking. Alcohol is known to dehydrate the body.
