Orthostatic hypotension, the cause of standing up from sitting, can make you dizzy

Apart from hypertension (high blood pressure), there is also a medical condition known as hypotension (low blood pressure). One type, namely orthostatic hypotension. The medical term is quite foreign to your ears, but in fact it is very common. In fact, maybe you have experienced it. Curious? Come on, get to know more about this condition in the following review.

What is orthostatic hypotension?

Orthostatic hypotension is a type of low blood pressure or hypotension that occurs when you get up from sitting or lying down. In language, the word "orthostasis" means standing, so this condition is interpreted as low blood pressure (hypotension) that occurs when a person stands.

This condition also has another name, namely postural hypotension, this is because the condition is related to changes in body posture.

When standing, gravity transfers blood from the upper body to the lower limbs. As a result, there is a temporary decrease in the amount of blood in the upper body for the heart to pump, so that blood pressure can drop.

However, you don't need to worry because normally, the body quickly defies the force of gravity and maintains normal blood pressure and steady blood flow again. In most people, temporary postural hypotension goes unnoticed because the body adjusts quickly.

However, there are also those who walk quite slowly because the body has difficulty achieving a stable blood pressure. As a result, this drop in blood pressure lasts for several minutes after the body changes position from lying down or sitting to a standing position.

Based on the medical site Medline Plus, a person is diagnosed with orthostatic hypotension if the systolic blood pressure in the body is decreased by 20 mmHg or diastolic 10 mmHg within 3 minutes of standing.

What are the symptoms of orthostatic hypotension?

A decrease in blood pressure may not cause symptoms, so the sufferer may not realize it. However, there are also those who feel the symptoms. The most common symptom of orthostatic hypotension is sudden dizziness when standing up. In addition, some people also experience other symptoms, such as:

• Feelings of fainting or the sensation of your surroundings swirling.
• Headache and blurred vision.
• Pressure on the shoulders or back of the neck.
• Stomachache.
• The body feels weak and tired.

All of these symptoms can last less than a few minutes. Every now and then you may have a headache as if you are feeling dizzy and this could be due to other causes, such as low blood sugar levels or mild dehydration.

If symptoms, such as occasional dizziness when you wake up from sitting for long periods of time, don't need to worry. However, it is highly emphasized to see a doctor if symptoms occur frequently. Moreover, to make you fall because of the dizziness that is quite severe or even fainting frequently.

What are the causes of orthostatic hypotension?

Although common, a frequent drop in blood pressure can be a sign of a health problem. The following are the various causes of orthostatic hypotension:

1. Dehydration

Fever, vomiting, not drinking enough, severe diarrhea, and strenuous exercise with excessive sweating can all lead to dehydration which can lower blood volume. Mild dehydration can cause symptoms of postural hypotension, such as head tilt and fatigue.

2. Heart problems

Some heart conditions that can cause low blood pressure include an extremely slow heart rate (bradycardia), heart valve problems, heart attacks, and heart failure. These conditions prevent your body from responding quickly enough to pump more blood when standing.

3. Endocrine problems

Endocrine problems, such as Addison's disease, and low blood sugar can cause a drop in blood pressure. Likewise, diabetes can damage nerves that help send signals that regulate blood pressure.

4. Nervous system disorders

Neurological orthostatic hypotension can be caused by neuropathy due to diabetes mellitus, as well as the presence of central lesions such as in Parkinson's disease.

How to treat orthostatic hypotension?

The goal of treating orthostatic hypotension is to raise low blood pressure when standing without increasing blood pressure when lying down. In addition, there are also several treatments to reduce symptoms of orthostatic intolerance and increase the ability to carry out daily activities.

The following are some lifestyle changes that can be easily made and applied in everyday life to help treat orthostatic hypotension:

1. Use compressions on the abdomen

In one experiment, it was found that applying compression to the stomach can increase blood pressure when standing. The straps should be tight enough and apply gentle pressure, used when getting out of bed when you get up in the morning and removed when you want to lie down.

Compressions on the stomach can be used according to individual needs. If abdominal compression is not enough, you can add more compression to your legs in the form of stockings.

2. Inadequate intake of body fluids

When you are traveling to tourist attractions, shopping at the market, or other activities that require you to stand for a long time, don't forget to drink water. Always carry a spare water bottle with you wherever you go so that the blood pressure in the body does not drop low.

In addition, avoid activities that can make you dehydrated and at risk of lowering your blood pressure again, for example, soaking in hot water. Enough with warm water if needed.

3. Get up from sleep slowly

Lie down with your head slightly raised 15-20 degrees. Then, if you want to get out of bed, do it gradually, namely first sitting on the side of the bed for 5 minutes before getting up.

4. Lower leg muscles

This increases blood flow back to the heart and helps maintain blood pressure during daily activities. Techniques that can be done are calf muscle exercises, lifting your toes, and raising your feet. Moderate exercise such as swimming and cycling is also recommended to increase plasma volume.

5. Sufficient sodium intake

The sodium content in salt also helps treat symptoms of orthostatic hypotension. The recommended salt intake is less than 500 mg per day. However, this should be done with caution and should first be discussed with a doctor. Too much salt can actually cause blood pressure to rise too high, especially if you have heart disease.

6. Take the medicine your doctor prescribes

If the methods mentioned above are not effective in dealing with the drop in blood pressure when standing, the doctor will prescribe several medications. Usually, this procedure is the last resort because increasing blood volume and blood pressure with medication is rarely done.

Some of the medications that are usually prescribed for people with orthostatic hypotension are:

• Droxidopa (Northera®).
• Erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA).
• Fludrocortisone (Florinef®).
• Midodrine hydrochloride (ProAmatine®).
• Pyridostigmine.

The use of drugs must be under the supervision of a doctor. So, don't occasionally try to take low blood pressure medication without your doctor's permission because it is feared that it can cause side effects.

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