The main types of low blood pressure treatment consist of lifestyle changes and prescription medication. In most cases, doctors initially attempt to discover what is the underlying cause of a person's low blood pressure. When the root cause is determined, treatment of that cause typically eliminates the low blood pressure symptoms. People who do not have low blood pressure because of an underlying illness can often deal with the problem by making small changes in their diet, increasing how much they exercise, and making other minor adjustments in their day to day lives.
Some steps that doctors recommend for low blood pressure treatment are increasing the amount of salt in the diet, cutting back on caffeinated and alcoholic drinks, and exercising daily. It may also benefit some people to sleep with their head slightly elevated rather than flat on their backs. People with severe low blood pressure problems often have to wear elastic support bands around their calves in order to keep blood flowing in their upper bodies. An overall increase in fluids is generally very important for people suffering from low blood pressure. Sports drinks may actually be a preferred choice for low blood pressure treatment because they usually contain salt, which can additionally help with low blood pressure.
In some cases, medicines are prescribed for low blood pressure treatment. The most common medications people tend to take for low blood pressure are midodrine and fludrocortisone. Midodrine can trigger tiny receptors inside a person's arteries that may increase the flow of blood. Fludrocortisone helps the kidneys retain some sodium, which can promote an increase in blood pressure. People who take fludrocortisone may notice that they look slightly puffy and swollen, but this is due to the water retention the medication causes and is an indicator that the medicine is doing its job, which is to lower the blood pressure.
Low blood pressure treatment is almost always successful, but the condition can be life threatening if it isn't treated. A person who suddenly feels light headed, weak, and very faint may be experiencing symptoms of low blood pressure. Other symptoms may include blurry vision and sleepiness. Low blood pressure can sometimes be a side effect of serious problems, such as heart attack or stroke. Symptoms of low blood pressure can also indicate many other problems, so it is important for someone experiencing them to seek medical attention in order to find out the cause.