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For people with orthostatic hypotension — also called postural hypotension — the body’s natural process of counteracting low blood pressure when getting up from sitting or lying down doesn’t work correctly. When you stand or sit up, signs and symptoms may occur, including dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred or fading vision, weakness, nausea, fainting, and pain in the head, neck or shoulders.
Certain lifestyle changes can help manage the condition. Recommendations may include:
- Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, which increases blood volume.
- Adding salt to your food. This must be done carefully and only after discussing it with your doctor.
- Avoiding alcohol, as it dilates blood vessels and can worsen orthostatic hypotension.
- Eating smaller, more frequent low-carbohydrate meals if your blood pressure drops after you eat, in addition to drinking a glass of water with each meal.
- Exercising regularly, but refraining from exercising outside when it is very hot.
- Slowly sitting up before standing when getting out of bed.
- Sitting down to urinate.
- Placing 4- to 6-inch blocks or risers beneath the headboard of your bed to lift your head at night.
- Sitting or lying down when symptoms strike or learning maneuvers for when they occur, such as flexing mid- and lower-body muscles, squatting, marching in place or rising onto your tiptoes.
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Hi Coleen, I'll stop by, and thanks!
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1 Reaction@colleenyoung,
@babsstruck and all.
I suffer from syncope as well, and black out about every 5 or 6 weeks, complete with ambulance, E.R., etc. Highly disconcerting, to say the least. I don't know if my story might help you, @babsstruck.
Of the several diagnoses I've had over the years, most doctors have now settled on Vasovagul Nerve Syncope, likely as a result of my IBS. There doesn't seem to be an answer for it, as far as my blackouts are concerned, other than trying to control my very stubborn IBS with rigid diet restrictions. If I vary anything in my
diet, I'm in trouble. My meals are small and boring, because I have to stick to the same foods day after day. My medical team has advised me to have 2 or 3 bottles of Ensure meal replacement daily to make up for nutritional losses.
I take my own blood pressure and also get it checked every two weeks (sit/stand variety) by a registered nurse, who faxes her reports to my family doctor. I mentioned in another post today that my BP drops 30 to 50 points in the "stand" position. If my BP remains a problem, my doctor refers me to my Internal Medicine Specialist to regulate it with a different medication or a different dosage of the one I'm on. I really don't advise anybody regulating their BP medications on their own.
@babsstruck, maybe IBS is not your particular problem, or is it? It could be any number of things. It would be good if you could get a referral to a specialist.
Good luck to you as you look for a solution.
Warmly, Laurie
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2 ReactionsThanks for replying. I have never been in an ambulance to hospital. I do have IBS as well. Mostly because with Dysautonomia nothing that works automatically, doesn’t work. I have problems with heart, lungs, GI tract. I just can’t stand without moving so I never stand still for more than 5 minutes. I push fluids. My neurologist has authorized IV fluids every week or two. I received them Friday AM and so glad I haven’t had headaches every morning. I have been sick and severely dehydrated. I am feeling better no
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1 ReactionHi @babsstruck. I have the exact same problem. Can't stand or I'll begin feeling faint and need to sit down immediately. Always have my walker, so I can always sit on it. Also heart problems; had a heart attack in July. Giant Cell Arteritis; the list goes on. Sounds like we're playing "Top This" with all our health problems. Lol. You've really got a serious dehydration issue. So sorry. Take care. Warmest wishes, Laurie
I am 87 years old and a patient of high BP for many years.
A month back.when I got up at 6 am, near my bathroom, I suddenly fell down due to a momentary fainting. My daughter took my BP. It was very low. She called for an ambulance and got me admitted in a hospitaL. I was positive and was treated as a covid-19 patient. I was discharged after 3 days. For the lastr one month I have been resting home and gradually recovering. I have been advised for resting fora a month more.
I have also been suffering from grout for about 15 years. I have been taking regulare medicines. Lab test result shows that my uric acid level is normal (5.2 mg/dl). I do not suffer from excessive bouts of pains or flare.
I walk a lot and massage gout regularly. The gout has affected both the toes. There is sweiing at the gout and the swelling keeps on changing its location periodically either on the top or at the bottom of the toes.
Since the occurring of grout, on an average, every year. I become dizzy momentarily and suffer a fall from which I used to recover and go ahead with my activity. Last month the fall was sever because I dashed against a wall which hurt mu shoulders, ribs and neck and sprained my muscles.
The fall always occured while I was standing but never while I was lying down or in a siiting position.
I wonderif my fall was as a result of Covid-19 infection or due to swelling of the.
You mention that you’ve been dealing with gout for 15 years. You may have some useful tips to offer in this related discussion:
- What are the best ways to manage Gout? Diet ideas welcome https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gout-1/
You may also be interested in joining discussions about blood pression in the Heart Health group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/heart-blood-vessel-conditions/
I have been taking medication as advised by the doctor. The uric acid level is fully under control. But the pain still continues though much reduced. Why? I walk quite a long everyday. My food intake is limited and regular. I get enough sleep. Why then the gout persists?
Slowly I became aware that the real culprit for the gout pain is the swelling arond the gout affecteted areas. I changed the ways I daily massaged my toes. I kept swelling away from the affected area as far as possible. It reduced the number of flares.
At present, though there is not much of pain,, toes have become numb. Swelling is at the bottom of feet, in the curved portion.
These days I am trying to put pressure on the swelling whilie taking steps gently.
I am waiting to see the result
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1 ReactionHello.. I have the same problem. I started taking fludrocortisone. So far nothing. Any medication suggestions.. Jim
Have had that problem most of my life. As long as I exercise regularly (3 to 4 times a week for 30 minutes or more) not a problem.
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