Orthostatic hypotension

Hi there! Do you know that feeling when you stand up too fast and get a little dizzy or lightheaded? That's kind of like what happens with something called "orthostatic hypotension".

Let's break it down: "Orthostatic" means upright, like when you're standing. "Hypotension" means low blood pressure. So, orthostatic hypotension means that when you stand up, your blood pressure drops lower than it should be. This can make you feel lightheaded or even faint.

Our bodies have tiny blood vessels called "capillaries" that help deliver oxygen and nutrients to our organs. When we stand up, gravity pulls blood down towards our feet which makes our heart have to work harder to pump blood back up to our head. Sometimes, our body doesn't adjust to the change in position and our blood pressure drops too much. This can happen for lots of different reasons, like not drinking enough water, taking certain medications, or having a disease.

If you have orthostatic hypotension, it's important to be careful when you stand up. You can try standing up slowly and making sure you have something to hold onto like a chair or a railing. Drinking lots of water to keep hydrated can also help. And if you ever feel too dizzy or lightheaded, it's always okay to sit or lie down until you feel better.