How To Prevent Feeling Dizzy After Eating
There is no surefire treatment for postprandial hypotension, but these four lifestyle changes can help you prevent low blood pressure:
Various medications and supplements have been tested against postprandial hypotension. These include caffeine, guar gum , acarbose , midodrine , and others. But none of them has performed well in clinical trials, and side effects of these therapies can sometimes be worse than postprandial hypotension.
Other Causes For Fatigue With High Blood Pressure
Although fatigue can be a symptom of high blood pressure, a lack of sleep may actually be a contributing factor, too.
Sleeping 5 hours or less per night may raise your risk for developing high blood pressure. And if you already have high blood pressure, lack of sleep could be making it worse.
In addition, obstructive sleep apnea is a known risk factor for hypertension, especially in older age groups.
Some prescription medications used to treat high blood pressure can also cause fatigue.
Another cause of fatigue could be due to pulmonary artery hypertension. This is when you have high blood pressure in the vessels that carry blood between your heart and lungs. Along with fatigue, it can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness.
There are usually no symptoms or warning signs that you have hypertension. Thats why its so important to monitor your blood pressure.
Its especially important to see your doctor if youre experiencing:
- fatigue
- stress management
- drinking alcohol in moderation
Your doctor will also consider your age, coexisting conditions, and any other medications you take when treating your blood pressure. If necessary, your doctor may prescribe hypertension medications. These include:
Some of these medications can cause you to feel tired.
Other treatments depend on the extent of damage to your heart, kidneys, and overall health.
- following a healthy, balanced, low-salt diet
- getting regular exercise
What Is Low Blood Pressure/hypotension
Low blood pressure or hypotension is a condition where the systolic and diastolic pressure falls below 90 and 60 respectively. Blood pressure is usually measured in millimetres of mercury, and normal blood pressure is usually slightly less than 120/80 mm Hg.
To have low blood pressure is not always a concern however, chronic hypotension can cause a lack of blood flow to the brain, causing dizziness, blackouts or loss of consciousness, and may even be life-threatening in severe cases.
More often, low blood pressure is a symptom of a different concern, such as plaque build-up, a heart disorder or aging related medical conditions, making it necessary to pay attention to signs of low blood pressure in its initial stages.
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Tired Dizzy Craving Salt Could Be Low Aldosterone
Theodore C. Friedman, MD, PhD
Theodore C. Friedman, MD, PhD, professor of medicine, chair of the department of internal medicine, chief of the division of endocrinology, metabolism and molecular medicine and endowed professor of cardio-metabolic medicine at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles. www.GoodHormoneHealth.com
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Dont expect a quick solution, or even an accurate diagnosis, if youre suffering from fatigue. You might have to see a lot of experts before you get the right answer.
Reason: Even though doctors check for cortisol deficiency as a sign of adrenal insufficiency, also known as Addisons disease, a common cause of fatigue, they may neglect to investigate the one hormone that is an early indicator of the disease.
The adrenal glands, located just above the kidneys, produce more than 50 hormones, including cortisol and aldosterone . Cortisol levels often are tested because low levels indicate Addisons disease and cortisol deficiency can be life-threatening, while low aldosterone usually is not. But it could be a low level of aldosterone that is making you tired
How Does Low Barometric Pressure Affect The Body
Just like changing barometric pressure affects the weather, it can also affect your body. Take our sinuses, for example. Our body including its sinuses, which are filled by air is constantly pushing out against the atmospheric pressure thats pushing down on your body.
When the atmospheric pressure changes, the pressure in our sinuses is no longer in equilibrium with the pressure on the outside of our bodies and can cause sinus headaches, a situation made worse if you have issues like congestion, allergies, a sinus infection, or other sinus problems.
Wondering whether you have a sinus headache or not? Check out our article: How do you know if you have a sinus headache?
Changes in pressure may also affect the constriction of our veins , the amount of oxygen in your body, and more.
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How Does Sleep Apnea Treatment Affect Blood Pressure
There are a number of treatment options for OSA. Treatment not only improves sleep quality but could also help manage hypertension. The most common and effective treatment is called continuous positive airway pressure .
CPAP treatment involves wearing a facemask attached to a machine that pumps air into the lungs at night. It works by preventing the airway from collapsing, which improves sleep quality in people affected by OSA. Studies investigating the effects of CPAP in patients with hypertension and OSA have shown that treatment with CPAP lowers blood pressure during the day and at night, especially in patients with severe OSA. CPAP also reduces catecholamine levels.
Some patients have a hard time adjusting to the CPAP facemask at night. Consistent, proper use of CPAP is important in order to effectively manage OSA and hypertension. Mouthpieces are one alternative to CPAP and are designed to help maintain an open airway during sleep. Research is needed to determine if mouthpieces also lower blood pressure in people who experience high blood pressure and OSA. Certain surgical procedures are also done to treat OSA in selected patients.
Losing weight either through diet and lifestyle changes or through weight-loss surgery is another approach to managing OSA that may also lower blood pressure.
Bouts Of Low Blood Pressure Identified As Possible Cause Of Chronic Fatigue
Sudden bouts of low blood pressure that occur when people walk, stand or conduct everyday activities may explain some cases of chronic fatigue, an affliction that has baffled doctors searching for effective treatments or even a good definition.
Doctors at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center who tested seven fatigued teen-agers discovered that they felt lightheaded and experienced a profound drop in blood pressure when placed on a tilt-table and swung to an upright position.
Dr. Peter Rowe, a Hopkins pediatrician, said the tilt-table test mimicked a real-life problem facing people with chronic fatigue: When they walk or stand, their hearts fail to pump faster and more vigorously to ensure that enough blood reaches the brain and other organs.
Instead, blood tends to pool in the legs and feet. Even modest activity leaves the patients weak, forcing them into bed for hours or even days. Many miss long stretches of school and retreat from social activities.
Several of the Hopkins patients felt better when encouraged to shake more salt on their foods and when given drugs that increased their blood pressure.
“Before, I was almost dead — I didn’t move around, didn’t do anything but lay around like a slug,” said Casey Lane, 17, a senior at Towson High School. After missing long stretches of school last year, she resorted to home study — taking her lessons by phone while lying in bed.
“Now, I’m getting active again, hanging out with my friends and going to school,” she said.
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Common Conditions That Can Cause Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure is more common in older women, but it can happen to anyone. Specific lifestyle options or conditions can lower your blood pressure. The conditions that cause low blood pressure are usually those that affect circulation or blood production or filtration.
- Pregnancy- The increased demand for blood by the womb can cause low blood pressure.
- Dehydration- Without water, your blood is thinner. The lack of healthy red blood cells lowers your blood pressure.
- Diabetes- Your blood is filtered poorly. This can cause issues in blood pressure and blood sugar.
How Low Is Too Low
Your blood pressure should be around 120/80. If your blood pressure is higher than that, lowering it is the correct thing to do. However, if your blood pressure gets below 90/60, it’s too low. At this point you have hypotension. Low blood pressure is just as dangerous as high blood pressure. So keeping it in balance is key.
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So Can Lower Barometric Pressure Make You Tired Or Fatigued
In short: yes, especially if you have issues with your blood sugar. However, you may also feel fatigued because of other factors associated with low blood pressure. These factors might include sleepiness caused by a lack of sunlight during stormy weather or weariness from fighting off sinus-related symptoms and/or joint pain.
At the same time, if your sinuses are acting up, they may also be the root cause of your fatigue, with a change in barometric pressure being the proverbial straw that breaks the camels back. If your sinus issues frequently contribute to issues with barometric pressure changes and fatigue, you may want to consider seeking treatment.
How Is Low Blood Pressure Diagnosed
Often people learn that they have low blood pressure when their doctor checks it. Or you may find that you have low blood pressure when you check it at home.
To check for the causes of your low blood pressure, your doctor will ask about your past health, your symptoms, and the medicines you take. He or she will do a physical examination and may do other tests. Your doctor may check for another health problem that could be causing your low blood pressure.
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Is Low Blood Pressure A Problem
For some people, low blood pressure is a sign of good health. These are generally people who are very fit and who have a slow pulse. For other people, low blood pressure is a problem.
Often, people with low blood pressure can be expected to lead longer lives.
However, people who experience continuing symptoms of low blood pressure should see a doctor. Sudden, severe low blood pressure can be associated with serious medical conditions.
Medication Used To Treat Low Blood Pressure
In cases of more severe or recurrent symptoms of low blood pressure, doctors may prescribe drugs to stabilize the system. These may include:
Fludrocortisone: It is a steroid that is prescribed when the body is unable to produce enough by itself, and is often prescribed in conjunction with other steroids such as hydrocortisone. It reduces inflammation in the body and causes the body to retain more sodium. It may cause some water retention, but this is not a cause for concern since it is necessary to build blood pressure. To maintain the sodium-potassium balance, a doctor might recommend consumption of potassium-rich foods such as apricot, bananas, spinach and broccoli while on this prescription. Once the effects of low blood pressure are no longer witnessed, you may be asked to discontinue the steroid, while maintaining lifestyle and diet changes.
Midodrine: A counter to blood vessel dilation, midodrine is a what is called a vasopressor and constricts small blood vessels to increase blood pressure. It is usually prescribed in cases of postural hypotension and the dosage is gradually increased over time to prevent side effects.
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Q What Can Cause Low Blood Pressure
- Pregnancy
- Nutrition deficiency in the diet
- Certain antidepressants
Eat Your Way To Better Energy And Heart Health
Your diet can play a big part in helping to lower your blood pressure. Salt can increase your blood pressure so reducing your intake can be beneficial DASH diets and Mediterranean diets are thought to be among the best diets to follow for reducing high blood pressure. To learn more about your diet and high blood pressure click here.
Some foods have the ability to lower your blood pressure and circulation whilst others are beneficial for giving you an energy boost. Our blogs 6 fantastic foods to lower high blood pressure and My top 11 foods for boosting your energy have our top food suggestions! Diets high in potassium are thought to help counteract the blood-raising effects of salt in the body. Similarly, omega-3 is thought to be a natural fatigue fighter so can be beneficial for reducing tiredness caused by high blood pressure.
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More Serious Or Lasting Causes
Some potentially more severe health issues can also cause low blood pressure, including:
- Nutrient deficiencies: These might involve vitamin B12 or folic acid.
- Neurally mediated hypotension: This disorder causes a drop in blood pressure after the person has been standing up for a prolonged period.
- Endocrine problems: These affect the regulation of the bodys hormones. One example is hypothyroidism, also known as an underactive thyroid.
- Heart problems: These can limit how effectively the heart pushes blood around the body.
- : This is a potentially life threatening response to a severe bacterial infection.
- Anaphylactic shock: This is a potentially life threatening complication of anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction.
In addition, loss of blood due to an injury can lead to low blood pressure.
Q How Do I Know If I Have Low Blood Pressure
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Q What Can I Do To Prevent Low Blood Pressure
When To Call The Doctor
Low blood pressure can cause symptoms of lightheadedness or dizziness, weakness or feeling faint. If you have any of these symptoms associated with a low blood pressure, you should contact your doctor.
If you have a lower than normal blood pressure but you feel fine without symptoms you are probably okay, says Dr. Courson.
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Primary High Blood Pressure
While the specific cause of primary high blood pressure remains unknown, there is compelling evidence to suggest that a number of risk factors increase your chances of developing the condition.
These risk factors include:
- age – the risk of developing high blood pressure increases as you get older
- a family history of high blood pressure – the condition seems to run in families
- being of Afro-Caribbean or South Asian origin
- high-fat diet
- high amount of salt in your diet
- lack of exercise
- excessive alcohol consumption
- stress
A number of health conditions, such as diabetes and kidney disease, have also been linked to an increase risk of developing primary high blood pressure.
Why Does High Blood Pressure Make Us Feel Tired
High blood pressure is often called the silent killer because, in most cases, it doesnt have any apparent symptoms. However, fatigue and chest pains are among the very few indicators of high blood pressure. Fatigue caused by high blood pressure occurs as a result of many different factors including the effects of condition itself, medication management and lifestyle choices. High blood pressure causes tiredness as a result of elevated pressure on vital organs such as the brain, heart and kidneys.
Often though, medication plays a larger role in contributing to fatigue than the actual condition does. Tiredness is often a common side effect of many medications used to lower blood pressure. Blood pressure medications may slow the pumping action of the heart, in the case of diuretics, the body can easily become depleted of essential electrolytes. The body reacts to this by producing less energy and so results in increased tiredness and fatigue. Unexplained tiredness that doesnt appear to have a cause can be a result of high blood pressure.
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How Sleep Apnea Affects Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a common health issue in which the amount of force that pumps blood through blood vessels is higher than normal. People with hypertension often dont have symptoms but learn they have high blood pressure during routine checks at a doctors office. If left untreated, high blood pressure puts a daily strain on the cardiovascular system which may lead to stroke, heart disease, and other conditions. Fortunately, managing hypertension with medication and lifestyle changes can reduce your risk for harmful health effects.
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes numerous lapses in breathing during sleep. There are two types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea . OSA is marked by episodes of airway collapse, which blocks airflow into the lungs and often causes snoring and gasping during sleep. In CSA, breathing lapses occur because of a lack of communication between the brain and the muscles involved in breathing.
Its important to understand the relationship between hypertension and sleep apnea because these two conditions affect one another, and treatment for sleep apnea can lower blood pressure in people who have both.