Orthostatic Hypotension (Low BP during standing)

WHAT IS THIS CONDITION?

Orthostatic hypotension is one of the most common cause of low BP, in apparently healthy persons without any major health issues. In this condition, patients are usually very comfortable in lying down position. They develop giddiness on getting up from lying down position due to a fall in BP (in sitting or standing position). But in another 5 minutes patient will comfortable and giddiness will come down.

WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN?

The following conditions may cause orthostatic hypotension

• Certain BP medications
• Fever and dehydration
• Neurological problems like Parkinson’s disease
• Long-standing Diabetic patients with neuropathy

HOW TO MANAGE THIS CONDITION?

Treatment of orthostatic hypotension involves the following

1. Correction of dehydration
2. Changing or adjusting the medicines causing the problem
3. Treating the neuropathy related to diabetes and other neurological problems
4. Slowly getting up from lying down position to sitting position and Sitting for 30 seconds to 1 min before standing is the mainstay to avoid low BP and giddiness in this condition. Directly standing from lying down position without sitting for a while should always be avoided.