Introduction
The morbid condition of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is called “Ojaksaya”. It is, in general, concerned with the deficiency of serum (Rasaksaya), which weakens the function of the heart. The weak heart can not properly circulate the blood, especially through the arteries. This indeed is the underlying cause of low blood pressure, which results in low or weak pulses, poor digestion, general debility, constipation, back pain, loss of weight, dizziness, headache, mental distraction, irritation, heart diseases, pale-looking, and weakness of hearing.
There are many causes of Hypoglycemia. Some of them are concerned with anemia; bleeding diseases e.g. menorrhagia, hematuria, bleeding hemorrhoids, hematorrhea, ulcer, traumatic hemorrhage, etc; diarrhea or chronic diarrhea (Sprue); dysentery or chronic colitis; hepatitis or chronic hepatitis; urinary diseases e.g. albuminuria, chyluria, polyuria, glycosuria, etc; overindulgence in sex; heavy labor; anxiety; fear; awakening at night; malnutrition; fasting; little food; shock; heat; old age, etc.
It is well investigated that the condition of hypoglycemia whatever may be the cause of it, is common to the person who has the nerve-natured body type. Unproportionate face, big mouth, thin skin with clear veins especially on the face, lean and thin body, restlessness, intellectually brilliant, compassionate activities, and talkative and fearful caricatures are the signs of the nerve-natured body type. The main cause of it is the weak function of the pancreas.
Some symptoms related to the brain and extremities in low blood pressure can be similar to those in hypertension (high blood pressure). The reason for this is the poor blood circulation carried through the arteries, which can not force the blood circulation of the veins. In this condition, the arteries can not supply enough blood to the brain and some other organs, for their proper functions, and the veins contain more blood, which results in dizziness, headache, and hot sensation. This is very important to pay attention to proper diagnosis.
Loss of appetite and poor digestion whatever may be the cause of them, are the aggravating causes of low blood pressure. Not having a good appetite and proper digestion of food, the liver can not function in the proper way to store enough sugar and to excrete enough bile, which is very important to stimulate the pancreas for good appetite and digestion of food. In this sense, it is very clear that the poor function of the pancreas is indirectly concerned with chronic low blood pressure or hypoglycemia.
The symptoms of low blood pressure come and go, not even being noticed in its beginning stage. The patient with low blood pressure or hypoglycemia feels better when he is active and does some creative work. Woman compared to men complains more about the problems of hypoglycemia. The reason for this is the loss of blood during the period of menstruation. It is especially true for the woman who has the nerve-natured body type.
The general treatment of low blood pressure depends upon the drugs, which stimulate the digestive power, strengthen bodily stamina, and relieve the problems of particular diseases, which are concerned with low blood pressure.
The drug, which stimulates the digestive power, contains carminative, digestive, and appetizing ingredients.
The drug, which strengthens bodily stamina, includes the general tonic and aphrodisiac medicine.
The drug, which cures the particular diseases concerned with hypoglycemia should be arranged according to the proper diagnosis of chronic diarrhea; chronic colitis; chronic hepatitis; deficiency of serum; chronic urinary diseases; chronic diseases of the uterus etc.
Causes of Low Blood Pressure
Deficiency of serum is the main cause of low blood pressure because the amount of blood sugar depends upon the quantity of serum. Any morbid condition of low blood sugar related to deficiency of serum weakens the heart. A weak heart can not function properly for blood circulation and results in weak pulses manifesting the particular symptoms of low blood pressure.
Anemia whatever may be the cause of it results in low blood pressure because the deficiency of blood including serum is the significance of anemia.
Any bleeding diseases e.g. menorrhagia, hematuria, bleeding hemorrhoids, bleeding ulcers, traumatic hemorrhage, hematorrhea, etc. cause low blood pressure because there is a deficiency of blood including serum.
Diarrhea or chronic diarrhea (Sprue), dysentery, or chronic colitis causes low blood pressure. In this condition, the food can not be digested properly. Foods not being well digested, the essence of them can not be assimilated. That results in a deficiency of serum.
Hepatitis or chronic hepatitis causes low blood pressure. Because the injured liver can not stimulate the pancreas to digest sugar and store sugar. In this condition, the by-products of the blood cells e.g. bile, etc. filtered in the liver reverse back to the blood circulation and destroy the blood sugar.
Urinary diseases e.g. albuminuria, chyluria, polyuria, glycosuria, etc. cause low blood pressure because there is abnormal wastage of vital ingredients of serum. Overindulgence in sex causes low pressure because of wastage of semen degenerating the function of the bone marrow, which results in anemia.
Heavy labor causes low blood pressure. In this condition, the destruction of blood ingredients results in the deficiency of blood including serum.
Anxiety, fear, or shock causes low blood pressure. In this condition, the mental tension weakens the cardiovascular system, which cannot properly circulate the blood for in and out transition.
Awakening at night results in dryness which can be the cause of low blood pressure.
The effect of heat results in dryness which also can be the cause of low blood pressure.
Old age is the lack of immunity’s result and the poor function of the bodily organs. In this condition, the deficiency of blood including serum, by nature, manifests the symptoms of low blood pressure.
Malnutrition or fasting or insufficient food intake, by nature, results in a deficiency of blood including serum. In this condition, the problems of low blood pressure are very common. This is especially true for poor people.
Regarding these causes and conditions of low blood pressure, it is very important to pay attention to the diagnosis that the person who has the nerve-natured body type, weak digestion, and loss of appetite, in general, suffers from chronic low blood pressure because his or her pancreas is weak. Otherwise, the symptoms of low blood pressure come and go.
Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure
General debility, constipation, back pain, dizziness, often headache, and depression are the main symptoms of low blood pressure.
Weak pulses are the significance of poor blood circulation. Careful investigation of pulses is very important for diagnosis.
The patient with low blood pressure often complains of poor digestion and loss of appetite. In this condition, he gets more low blood pressure with all the symptoms of it. In general, when he is hungry, especially in the morning, he feels very weak and irritable. After eating, he always feels better.
Sleepy all the time, laziness, and body aches are some other clear symptoms of low blood pressure. In this condition, when sitting if stands up quickly, causes numbness, blurred vision, and dizziness. This is especially true when sitting in the sun.
The condition of blood pressure, if is very low, can be the cause of collapsing for a moment. It is very common in the accidental trauma.
A patient with low blood pressure not being treated properly can have heart problems e.g. palpitation angina pectoris, fear, irritation with sound, depression, etc. in this condition he looks pale and sad.
Woman suffering from low blood pressure or hypoglycemia, in general, gets very bad depression and mental distraction.
Besides all these symptoms, weak hearing, noise in the ear, weak vision, hot sensation of the extremities (sometimes very hot in the hot season or very cold in the cold season), reaction with refrigerant drugs, breathlessness, etc. also can be accompanied with the regular symptoms of low blood pressure.
Low blood pressure is not a particular disease; it is a side effect of some other diseases. Regarding these facts, it is very important to know that the diagnosis of particular diseases concerned with low blood pressure must be well investigated. Otherwise, the symptoms of low blood pressure, being much clearer, can not be identified with the related conditions, which are very important for the proper treatment.
Prevention of Low Blood Pressure
A regular check-up for blood pressure must be carried out to see the function of the heart.
Appetite and digestive power must be maintained with a proper diet. If necessary, some digestive, appetizing, and carminative drugs can be taken.
Overeating or heavy meals can disturb the digestive power, which is very bad. Regular time for eating is very important for regular function of digestion and to have a desire to eat at meal time.
A person, who tends to have low blood pressure, should be away from anything, that causes mental distraction, fear, and shock.
Regular exercise is very important to have proper blood circulation, which stimulates the function of the pancreas.
Any disease concerned with low blood pressure e.g. urinary disease, bleeding disease, diarrhea or chronic diarrhea, dysentery or chronic colitis, anemia, hepatitis or chronic hepatitis, constipation, angina pectoris, etc. should be treated as soon as possible with proper treatment and diet.
A diet with full protein should be arranged properly. In some conditions, alcoholic beverages is beneficial to drink after a meal but not before a meal. Also, the dose of it should be moderate; otherwise, it causes heavy intoxication.
Sound sleep is very important. There should not be any disturbances during the time of sleeping.
Fasting, laxative drugs, blood-letting practices (blood donation, etc.), and constrictory refrigerant drugs are prohibited (unless it is necessary to prescribe in some condition).
Treatment of Low Blood Pressure
The general treatment of low blood pressure is based on the combination of drugs, which stimulate the digestive power, strengthen the bodily stamina, and relieve the problems of particular diseases concerning low blood pressure.
The drug, which stimulates the digestive power, contains some digestive, appetizing, and carminative ingredients. Trikatu Rasayana, a compound of Piper longum with other herbs is one of the best compounds to stimulate the digestive power. In the same way, some tinctures of drugs e.g. Karpurasava, made of camphor, etc; Lavangasava, made of clove, etc. can be prescribed after a meal, at least, for two to three months.
The drug, which strengthens bodily stamina, includes the general tonic and aphrodisiac medicine. Draksyasava, a fermented drug made of grapes, etc; Mallayoga, a compound of iron oxide with other herbs; Chyavanaprasha, a paste made of Emblica officinalis and some other herbs, etc. are well-known Ayurvedic tonics and aphrodisiacs.
The drug, which relieves the problems of particular diseases concerned with low blood pressure, should be arranged according to the problem of the patient. In this case, the regular treatment of hepatitis or chronic hepatitis, diarrhea or chronic diarrhea, dysentery or chronic colitis, anemia, urinary disease, bleeding, etc. is very important to treat side by side with other regular treatments of low blood pressure.
Diet for Low Blood Pressure
The patient with low blood pressure must have a proper diet with full protein. Especially vegetarians should arrange their diet to have enough protein from different sources of foods and the food preparations must be spicy with different appropriate spices e.g. ginger, black pepper, cardamom, turmeric, bay leaf, cinnamon, nutmeg, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions on Low Blood Pressure
Q1: What is “Ojaksaya” in Ayurveda and how is it related to low blood pressure?
“Ojaksaya” in Ayurveda refers to the morbid condition of low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. It is primarily associated with serum deficiency (Rasaksaya), leading to weakened heart function and poor blood circulation, particularly through the arteries. This condition is considered the underlying cause of low blood pressure.
Q2: What are common symptoms of low blood pressure according to Ayurvedic understanding?
Symptoms of low blood pressure include general debility, constipation, back pain, loss of weight, dizziness, headache, mental distraction, irritation, heart diseases, pale complexion, and weakness in hearing.
Q3: What are some key causes of low blood pressure in Ayurveda?
Key causes include anemia, bleeding disorders, chronic diarrhea or colitis, hepatitis, various urinary diseases, overindulgence in sexual activities, heavy labor, anxiety, fear, malnutrition, fasting, heat exposure, old age, and awakening at night.
Q4: How is low blood pressure diagnosed in Ayurveda?
Diagnosis of low blood pressure involves careful investigation of the patient’s symptoms, including weak pulses, poor digestion, loss of appetite, and general physical condition. Special attention is given to individuals with a nerve-natured body type, which is more prone to hypoglycemia.
Q5: What is the general treatment approach for low blood pressure in Ayurveda?
Ayurvedic treatment for low blood pressure focuses on drugs that stimulate digestive power, strengthen bodily stamina, and address specific diseases associated with hypoglycemia. This includes the use of digestive, carminative, general tonic, and aphrodisiac medicines.
Q6: Are there any specific Ayurvedic drugs recommended for treating low blood pressure?
Yes, drugs like Trikatu Rasayana and Karpurasava are used to stimulate digestive power. For strengthening bodily stamina, Draksyasava, Mallayoga, and Chyavanaprasha are recommended. The choice of drugs also depends on specific conditions like hepatitis, anemia, or urinary diseases.
Q7: What are some preventive measures for low blood pressure according to Ayurveda?
Preventive measures include regular blood pressure check-ups, maintaining a proper diet to support digestion and appetite, regular exercise, avoiding mental stress, ensuring sound sleep, and avoiding fasting, laxative drugs, and blood-letting practices.
Q8: What dietary recommendations does Ayurveda make for low blood pressure patients?
A diet rich in protein and spicy foods is recommended. Vegetarians are advised to ensure sufficient protein intake from various sources. Spices like ginger, black pepper, cardamom, turmeric, bay leaf, cinnamon, and nutmeg are suggested to enhance food preparations.
Q9: Can mental stress contribute to low blood pressure?
Yes, mental stressors like anxiety, fear, and shock can weaken the cardiovascular system, impacting blood circulation and potentially leading to low blood pressure.
Q10: Is low blood pressure considered a separate disease in Ayurveda?
No, low blood pressure is not viewed as a distinct disease but rather as a side effect of other conditions. Proper diagnosis and treatment of the underlying diseases are crucial for effectively managing low blood pressure symptoms.
Author
Dr. Mana Bajra Bajracharya
PIYUSHABARSHI AUSHADHALAYA
Ayurvedic Clinic
Mahabouddha, Kathmandu, Nepal
For any inquiries or questions, please contact us
Copyright © AyurvedicClinic.Net. All rights reserved. Republishing and copying without authorization is prohibited.