Low blood pressure (hypotension) can cause dizziness, blurred vision, mental confusion and even fainting. It is common for people who experience any of these symptoms to be advised to put salt under their tongue. But would that be a solution?
The answer is no. This is a myth, but it has some basis in reality.
First, the region under the tongue is highly vascularized and, therefore, a route of rapid absorption, including for antihypertensive and anxiolytic drugs, for example, but not for salt.
Sodium chloride, the main compound in salt, is not readily absorbed from the sublingual mucosa. Sodium enters the blood system in the gastrointestinal tract, always bringing water with it.
When you consume foods that contain salt, sodium chloride is broken down and its components, sodium and chloride, are mostly absorbed in the small intestine. From there, they enter the bloodstream and are distributed to various parts of the body.
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The effect of salt on the body also does not occur immediately. It takes 24 hours to 48 hours for it to promote the fluid retention needed to raise blood pressure.
But then, what to do when low blood pressure causes unpleasant symptoms?
First, it is essential to measure the pressure at the moment when the discomfort occurs. Hypotension can be caused by infections, medications, changes in heart rhythm (arrhythmia), heartbeat that is too fast or too slow (tachycardia/bradycardia), dehydration, kidney disease, and more, according to the MSD Manual of Diagnosis and Treatment.
Some individuals, especially the elderly, may experience a condition called orthostatic hypotension, which causes dizziness when standing up.
Hypotension is considered to be blood pressure below 90/60 mmHg, popularly known as “9 by 6”.
“Below normal blood pressure in a healthy person that does not cause any symptoms usually does not need treatment. If not, treatment depends on the cause of your low blood pressure and your symptoms. When you experience symptoms of a drop in blood pressure, sit or lie down immediately. Then, lift your feet above the level of your heart.”
If the problem is recurrent, it is important to seek medical advice, either to change medications that may be causing hypotension or even to investigate the cause.
Low blood pressure (hypotension) can cause dizziness, blurred vision, mental confusion and even fainting. It is common for people who experience any of these symptoms to be advised to put salt under their tongue. But would that be a solution?
The answer is no. This is a myth, but it has some basis in reality.
First, the region under the tongue is highly vascularized and, therefore, a route of rapid absorption, including for antihypertensive and anxiolytic drugs, for example, but not for salt.
Sodium chloride, the main compound in salt, is not readily absorbed from the sublingual mucosa. Sodium enters the blood system in the gastrointestinal tract, always bringing water with it.
When you consume foods that contain salt, sodium chloride is broken down and its components, sodium and chloride, are mostly absorbed in the small intestine. From there, they enter the bloodstream and are distributed to various parts of the body.
read more:
The effect of salt on the body also does not occur immediately. It takes 24 hours to 48 hours for it to promote the fluid retention needed to raise blood pressure.
But then, what to do when low blood pressure causes unpleasant symptoms?
First, it is essential to measure the pressure at the moment when the discomfort occurs. Hypotension can be caused by infections, medications, changes in heart rhythm (arrhythmia), heartbeat that is too fast or too slow (tachycardia/bradycardia), dehydration, kidney disease, and more, according to the MSD Manual of Diagnosis and Treatment.
Some individuals, especially the elderly, may experience a condition called orthostatic hypotension, which causes dizziness when standing up.
Hypotension is considered to be blood pressure below 90/60 mmHg, popularly known as “9 by 6”.
“Below normal blood pressure in a healthy person that does not cause any symptoms usually does not need treatment. If not, treatment depends on the cause of your low blood pressure and your symptoms. When you experience symptoms of a drop in blood pressure, sit or lie down immediately. Then, lift your feet above the level of your heart.”
If the problem is recurrent, it is important to seek medical advice, either to change medications that may be causing hypotension or even to investigate the cause.
