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DEALING WITH POSTURAL HYPOTENSION

DEALING WITH POSTURAL HYPOTENSION
April 3, 2024Gajanan BandodkarUncategorized

Postural / Orthostatic hypotension is basically a feeling of lightheadedness , dizziness  or confusion which appear after sudden change of position. Mostly it happens when a person stands from a sitting or lying position. Standing causes the blood pressure to fall temporarily for a few seconds and is back to normal quickly. If it does not recover you may start to feel dizzy which is orthostatic hypotension. 

 

Neurogenic Orthostatic hypotension(nOH) is found to be common in Parkinson’s patients affecting about 50% of the total crowd. Autonomic nervous system is one which regulates the blood pressure, in nOH this system loses its ability to regulate the blood pressure.  Many factors can lead nOH such as anti Parkinson’s medication ,reduced fluid /salt intake, climate , clothing and many more. 

 

To have a better perception about nOH you can see the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LcX7fGaUe0&t=77s

 

Discussing it with your healthcare provider is the first thing you do. Learning to deal with it is very essential as these dizziness can also turnout into a fall and a fracture. There are certain lifestyle modifications and techniques to learn in regards to nOH which I would like to share.

 

STEPS TO PERFORM DURING THE EPISODE:

 

STEP 1:

Try to sit or lie down immediately once you notice any symptoms.

 

STEP 2:

 

PHYSICAL COUNTER-MEASURES : Perform any of these techniques , they are found to be helpful during the episode to raise the blood pressure .

 

TIP : When performing these techniques do them comfortably without putting too much of efforts

 

  • CLENCHING FIST : Try to make a tight fist as long as you can 
  1. LEG CROSSING: Cross one leg over the other and squeeze the muscles in your legs, abdomen and buttocks. Hold this position as long as you can or until your symptoms disappear. This can be performed standing or sitting.
  1. HEEL RAISES: Holding a chair try to raise your heel up and down. Do it till you feel better 

 

  1. LYING DOWN WITH LEGS RAISED:  Lie down with legs raised till the time your symptom disappear 

 

  1. BENDING FORWARD (SITTING):  While sitting on a chair lean forward so that your chest rests on your thighs and wait till your symptoms disappear. 

 

LIFESTYLE DO’S AND DONT’S:

 

DO’S DONT’S
  • DRINK MORE WATER IN A DAY(2-2.5LTR/DAY) UNLESS THERE IS RESTRICTION OVER THE INTAKE
  • AVOID DRINKING ALCHOHOL
  • INCREASE SALT INTAKE (CONSULT PHYSICIAN FIRST)
  • DO NOT STAND FOR PROLONGED TIME
  • STAND UP SLOWLY FROM SITTING/LYING POSITION(SIT FOR 30 SEC BEFORE STANDING) SPECIALLY EARLY MORNING OR POST MEAL
  • AVOID GETTING EXPOSED TO HOT ENVIRONMENTS LIKE HOT SHOWER
  • RAISE THE HEAD WHEN SLEEPING BY 6-9 INCHES 
  • AVOID HEAVY LARGE MEALS
  • KEEP A SMALL NOTE OF EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS IN YOUR WALLET
  • DO NOT WALK IF YOU FEEL DIZZY
  • USING AN ABDOMINAL CORSET / LEG STOCKINGS IS RECOMMENDED 
  • AVOID DIURETICS LIKE COFFEE
  • DO EASY EXERCISES LIKE CALF RAISE, TIGHTENING KNEES OR BUTTTOCKS BEFORE STANDING
  • AVOID HIGH GLYCEMIC INDEX FOOD LIKE WHITE BREAD

 

Hope these tips and techniques add to your knowledge about orthostatic hypotension !!

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