Causes And Ailments That Are Caused Due To Low Blood Pressure
The condition of having low blood pressure is termed as hypo tension. Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by flowing blood on the walls of blood vessel. The blood pressure normally varies between a maximum and minimum called systole and diastolic blood pressure respectively. It is represented as a fraction with systolic BP in numerator and diastolic BP in denominator.
The blood pressure decreases as the blood flows down in to capillary vessels and increases as it flows out from them towards the heart. Having low blood pressure is seen as a sign of medical concern only if it causes low blood pressure symptoms such as dizziness, fainting etc. When the blood flow through the arteries decreases at some point, it causes low blood pressure. Due to this, the blood flow to important vital organs such as brain is reduced and this causes fainting or lightheaded ness.
Average blood pressure of a healthy human under normal circumstances is 110/65 to 140/90. So, anything less than 110/65 is considered as low blood pressure. Children normally have low blood pressure of 95/65 to 100/65.
Many factors are responsible for low blood pressure. Physical factors such as Rate of pumping of heart, volume of blood and its viscosity determine the blood pressure. Sometimes, the blood pressure automatically drops when a person suddenly stands after sitting for a long time. This is called postural hypo tension and is caused due to low blood pressure and gravity. If the person is healthy, the nervous system involuntarily constricts the blood vessels and prevents the gravity effect. Other low blood pressure causes are:
Blood poisoning: When an infection is present in the blood, the whole immune system activates causing inflammation of patient’s body. This may lead to organ dysfunction also. This is a very serious medical condition. Low blood pressure is observed in this state.
Blood loss: When a significant amount of blood is lost from the body due to bleeding, low blood pressure occurs due to the decrease in the volume of blood. The bleeding may occur due to traumatic, medical conditions.
Hormonal abnormality: Low blood pressure may be caused due to diseases that are caused due to hormonal imbalances.
Toxins: Overdoses of medicines or poisonous substances can also cause low blood pressure.
Eating Disorders
Low blood pressure can also cause life threatening situations where vital organs are deprived of oxygen and blood. Treatment for low blood pressure varies by the cause. Blood sugar control, early nutrition or intake of food and supporting blood pressure with steroids are some common methods of treatment of low blood pressure.
Adding electrolytes to food can help prevent a mild low blood pressure.