Salt, sugar or electrolyte solution for low blood pressure?

Salt, sugar or electrolyte solution for low blood pressure?

Here is what you should take when you have low blood pressure.

Low blood pressureor hypotensionis a dangerous condition which happens when the pressure drops below 90/70. It indicates that the vital organs in your body aren’t getting enough blood (oxygen and nutrients) which could put the body into sudden shock. The symptoms of low blood pressure include – lightheadedness, dizziness and fainting spells.

If you think only high blood pressureis worrisome, then you need to know that less blood flow can also lead to heart attack, strokesand kidney failure. This is why when you face the symptoms of low blood pressure you need help to quickly get it back to normal. Many people try to resort to home remedies when the pressure drops – having salt or salt water, sugar or sugar solution or an electrolyte solution. We got Dr Sandeep Sonawane, Consultant Physician, Sunrise Hospitals, Mumbai to let us know what you can do when your pressure drops.

Licking salt: “This is the best home remedy that you can take when your pressure drops. The salt solution is the best way to restore electrolyte balance and fight dehydrationthat happens due to low pressure. Some people also prefer licking salt when the pressure drops. Salt helps to retain water in the blood that may bring the pressure back to normal,” explains Dr Sonawane.

Eating sugar : “Sugar definitely isn’t the best choice to restore blood pressure, especially if you are diabetic. This is only going to sabotage your health further. However, for a non-diabetic, it is still fine to add a little sugar to your salt solution as salt isn’t palatable,” explains Dr Sonawane.

Drinking an electrolyte solution: “Doctors would prescribe this to a patient who suffers from low blood pressure. But if you don’t have the sachets handy, try the homemade sugar-salt solution. However, a diabetic should not add sugar to the salt solution,” says Dr Sonawane.

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