Hypotension is a medical term for low blood pressure. Even though low blood pressure is not serious, it may be an indication of underlying problems at times. Risk of both high and low blood pressure increases with age. Let us discuss hypotension causes and symptoms.
What Are The Causes And Symptoms Of Low Blood Pressure?
Given below are some reasons for low blood pressure or hypotension.
- Hormonal problems like hypothyroidism, diabetes or low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Pregnancy
- Heart failure
- Prescription medicine for high blood pressure, depression or Parkinson’s disease.
- Abnormal heartbeat (heart arrhythmias)
- Widening or dilation of the blood vessels
- Liver disease
- Heat exhaustion or heat stroke
- Over-the-counter medication
You may also experience a sudden drop in your blood pressure. Sometimes it reaches life-threatening levels too. Some of the causes are:
- Low or high body temperature
- Loss of blood from excessive bleeding
- Sepsis (a severe blood infection)
- Severe dehydration due to vomiting, diarrhoea or fever
- Heart diseases
- Reaction to certain medication or alcohol
- Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that causes an irregular heartbeat
The symptoms of low blood pressure are:
- Nausea
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fainting (syncope)
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Lack of concentration
Extreme hypotension can result in shock which is life-threatening. The symptoms are:
- Weak and rapid pulse
- Cold, pale or clammy skin
- Rapid or shallow breathing
- Confusion especially in elders
How To Treat Low Blood Pressure At Home?
Low blood pressure can be easily treated at home with natural remedies and lifestyle changes. Here are 10 easy home remedies to help you raise your blood pressure.
1. Salt
What You Will Need
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- 8 oz of water (approximately 1 cup)
What To Do?
- Take 8 z of water in a glass.
- Add half a teaspoon of salt to it.
- Stir it well and drink it.
Useful tip: Do not add more than ½ teaspoon of salt as it can have side effects such as vomiting etc.
How Often To Do?
Salt water is a low blood pressure emergency treatment at home and should be used as such.
Why This Works
Salt raises the amount of sodium in our body and reduces the kidney’s ability to remove water. This puts extra strain on the blood vessels which increases the blood pressure.
2. Coffee
What You Will Need
- 1 tsp. of instant coffee powder
- 1 cup of water
- ½ to 1 tsp sugar
What To Do?
- Add 1 cup of water to a saucepan and boil it.
- Now add 1 tsp. of instant coffee powder to it.
- Stir it well and add ½ tsp of sugar to it.
- Pour it to a mug and sip it while it’s hot.
How Often To Do?
Coffee can be used as an emergency drink to increase blood pressure.
Why This Works
Coffee contains caffeine which is a stimulant known to increase the activity of the central nervous system. This increased activity can cause blood vessel constriction resulting in increased blood pressure. It is a natural cure for low blood pressure however caffeine is a mild stimulant and the effects are temporary.
3. Green Tea
What You Will Need
- 1 cup of water
- 1 tsp. of green tea leaves
What To Do?
- Add 1 cup of water to a sauce pan and boil it.
- Now add 1 tsp. of green tea leaves to it and stir it.
- Close the lid of the saucepan of a minute.
- Pour the green tea into a mug using a sieve.
How Often To Do?
Drink green tea when you experience symptoms of low blood pressure.
Why This Works
Green tea is a very popular and nutritious drink. It can also be used as a hypotension treatment at home. Green tea contains caffeine which is known to increase blood pressure temporarily. [Read More: Interesting Benefits of Green Tea Oil for Skin, Hair & Health]
4. Licorice
What You Will Need
- 1 tbsp. of chopped licorice root
- 1 cup of water
What To Do?
- Take a cup of water in a saucepan.
- Add 1 tbsp. of chopped licorice root to it.
- Once the water starts boiling lower the flame and bring it to a simmer it for 10 minutes.
- Turn off the flame and let the tea sit for about 5 minutes.
- Pour the tea to a mug using a sieve.
Note: Licorice should be taken in very small quantities as it can increase your blood pressure way too much and can cause unwanted complications.
How Often To Use
Drink this only when you are the experiencing symptoms of low blood pressure.
Why This Works
Licorice can be used as an effective natural treatment for low blood pressure. Licorice contains glycyrrhetinic acid which increases blood pressure. It also reduces the effects aldosterone which regulates the impact of salt on the body.
5. Ginseng
What You Will Need
- 8 pieces of thinly sliced siberian ginseng or panax ginseng (American and korean ginseng)
- 8 oz water
- ½ teaspoon honey
What To Do?
- Take 8 oz in a saucepan and bring it to a boil.
- Add 8 pieces of thinly sliced ginseng to the boiling water.
- Cover the saucepan for about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Strain the water and add ½ teaspoon of honey to it.
How Often To Do?
Drink this ginseng tea for 2 weeks for best results.
Why This Works?
The roots of panax ginseng contain gensinoids. These unique substances are responsible for the amazing benefits of ginseng. A lot of these gensinoids are very structurally similar to human corticosteroid hormones and adrenocorticotropic hormones. These hormones are responsible for the regulation of the adrenal gland. This helps increase blood pressure. Siberian ginseng is very similar to panax ginseng. American ginseng is considered to have gentle effects when compared to siberian ginseng. Siberian ginseng is helpful to rise blood pressure significantly.
6. Black Tea
What You Will Need?
- Tea leaves – 2 teaspoons
- Sugar – ½ – 1 teaspoon
- Water – 2 cups
What To Do?
- Boil 2 cups of water in a saucepan.
- Now add 2 teaspoons of tea leaves to the saucepan and turn off the heat.
- Cover the saucepan with the lid and let it sit for 3 – 4 minutes.
- Strain using a strainer and transfer the liquid to a cup.
- Add a teaspoon of sugar and stir well.
How Often To Do?
Drinking black tea can be helpful to increase blood pressure.
Why This Works?
According to several studies, black tea can help treat orthostatic hypotension. It is also effective in treating the symptoms of low blood pressure and provides immediate relief.
7. Ginger
What You Will Need?
- 2 – 3 slices of ginger root
- 1 cup of water
- ½ teaspoon honey
What To Do?
- Take 1 cup of water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil.
- Now add the ginger slices to it and turn off the heat.
- Keep the saucepan aside for 8 – 10 minutes.
- Remove the ginger slices and add half a teaspoon of honey and stir well.
How Often To Do?
You can drink drink ginger tea once a day.
Why This Works?
Ginger is known to reduce cholesterol and prevent blood from clotting. This results in increase in blood pressure.
8. Guarana
What You Will Need?
- 1 teaspoon guarana powder
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 cup plain yoghurt (curd)
- 3 – 4 teaspoon honey
What To Do?
- Slice a ripe banana and add it to a blender.
- Add a cup of plain yoghurt and a teaspoon guarana powder.
- Finally add 3 – 4 teaspoons of honey to the blender and blend to a smooth consistency.
How Often To Do?
You can drink this smoothie three times a week for best results.
Why This Works?
Guarana seeds are high in caffeine. Caffeine is well known to increase blood pressure. Guarana also can help reduce symptoms of low blood pressure such as fatigue.
9. Aniseed
What You Will Need?
- 1 teaspoon aniseed
- 1 cup of water
What To Do?
- Take a cup of water in a saucepan and bring it to boil.
- Add a teaspoon of aniseed to the boiling water.
- Turn off the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Strain it using a strainer.
How Often To Do?
You can drink this tea everyday after meal.
Why This Works?
Aniseed contains calcium, iron, copper, manganese, potassium and zinc. These compounds increase the levels of iron and potassium in the body which help increase blood pressure levels. Aniseeds are also rich in B-complex vitamins such as pyridoxine, niacin, riboflavin and thiamin. All these are useful in keeping normal blood pressure level as there is a link between vitamin B and low blood pressure.
10. Rosemary
What You Will Need?
- ½ cup of dried rosemary powder
- ¾th cup of olive oil (or any other oil of your choice)
What To Do?
- Add ½ a cup of dried rosemary powder to ¾ cup of olive oil
- Pour the mixture to a jar.
- Apply the oil on the chest and massage for 5 minutes.
How Often To Do?
This does not have any side effects and can be used whenever needed.
Why This Works?
Rosemary is well known as a stimulant. It helps regulate blood pressure by stimulating the central nervous system and improves blood circulation. It also helps reduce the symptoms of low blood pressure such a headache and dizziness.
Also read:
10 Effective Home Remedies for Diabetes
20 Incredible Benefits of Cinnamon (Dalchini) for Skin, Hair and Health
