Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM
Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
- Orthostatic hypotension facts
- What is orthostatic hypotension?
- What causes orthostatic hypotension?
- What are the risk factors for orthostatic hypotension?
- What are the symptoms of orthostatic hypotension?
- When should I call the doctor for orthostatic hypotension?
- How is orthostatic hypotension diagnosed?
- What is the treatment for orthostatic hypotension?
- What are the complications of orthostatic hypotension?
- How can orthostatic hypotension be prevented?
- Patient Comments: Orthostatic hypotension - Effective Diagnosis
- Patient Comments: Orthostatic Hypotension - Causes
- Patient Comments: Orthostatic Hypotension - Symptoms
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Orthostatic hypotension facts
- The autonomic nervous system makes changes in blood pressure and heart rate to allow the body to provide adequate blood supply to the brain when the body changes position.
- Symptoms of orthostatic hypotension include lightheadedness, weakness, blurred vision, and syncope or passing out.
- Dehydration, blood loss, and anemia are the most common reasons to develop low blood pressure when standing.
- Beta blockers, other high blood pressure medications, and medications such as sildenafil (Viagra) may all cause orthostatic hypotension.
- Vasovagal syncope may cause symptoms of fainting when the vagus nerve is stimulated by a noxious stimulus, either physical (pain) or emotional.
- Diagnosis is often made by history and physical examination. Injury from falling is the main complication of this entity.
- Maintaining adequate hydration is the best way to prevent orthostatic hypotension if the hypotension is caused by dehydration. However, overhydration can exacerbate congestive heart failure. Patients with CHF and orthostatic hypotension need to closely monitor fluid intake and make changes only with physician supervision.
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