Posted by tecknohed on November 12, 2007, at 19:58:36
In reply to Marplan and lightheadedness, posted by brooke484 on November 12, 2007, at 10:11:04
Some more suggestions from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthostatic_hypotension :
"Some drugs that are used in the treatment of orthostatic hypotension include fludrocortisone (Florinef), erythropoietin and midodrine.
Pyridostigmine bromide (Mestinon) is now also used to treat orthostatic hypotension."
"Some suggestions for minimizing the effects include:
* Checking blood pressure regularly with a home monitoring kit. Check when lying flat and when standing as well as when symptoms occur.
* Standing slowly rather than quickly, as the delay can give the blood vessels more time to constrict properly. This can help avoid incidents of syncope (fainting).
* Take a deep breath and flex your abdominal muscles while rising to maintain blood and oxygen in the brain. This, however, may be contraindicated in individuals with Stage 2 hypertension. Usually medical personnel have their patients "dangle" before rising from bed to decrease the likelihood of dizziness/falling due to orthostatic hypotension. The dangling is done by having the patient sit on the side of their bed for about a minute so they do not have the sudden dizziness.
* Maintaining an elevated salt intake, through sodium supplements or electrolyte-enriched drinks. A suggested value is 10 g per day; overuse can lead to hypertension and should be avoided.
* Maintaining a proper fluid intake to prevent the effects of dehydration.
* As eating lowers blood pressure, eat multiple smaller meals rather than fewer larger meals. Take extra care when standing after eating.
* When orthostatic hypotension is caused by hypovolemia due to medications, the disorder may be reversed by adjusting the dosage or by discontinuing the medication.
* When the condition is caused by prolonged bed rest, improvement may occur by sitting up with increasing frequency each day. In some cases, physical counterpressure such as elastic hose or whole-body inflatable suits may be required."teck
poster:tecknohed
thread:794573
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20071104/msgs/794715.html