What is Orthostatic/Postural Hypotension - Causes of Orthostatic or Postural Hypotension.

What is Orthostatic or Postural Hypotension?
By term orthostatic or postural hypotension means sudden decrease in blood pressure when person changes his position. For example if a person suddenly stands up from a sitting position he Falls immediately. He falls down as a result of sudden decrease in blood pressure and brain hypo-perfusion. (decrease in blood supply to brain). Some time patient doesn't fall, he only experiences black outs.

Causes of Postural Hypotension.

Mostly Postural hypotension is caused by drugs. But some diseases tend to cause postural hypotension.

Diseases or conditions that cause postural (orthostatic) hypotension.

• Addison's disease
• Diabetes
• Alcohol 
• Dehydration
• Zero gravity
• Pheochromocytoma
• Anemia
• Dopamine Beta-hydroxylase deficiency
• Anorexia Nervosa
• Tabes dorsalis
• Amyloidosis
• Vascular neuropathy
• Botulism Food poisoning.
• Hyponatremia

Drugs That cause Postural Hypotension.

• Alpha Blockers, ( parazosin, Tamsulosin, Terazosin etc)
• Ace Inhibitors, ( enalpril, Captopril, lisinopril, ramipril etc)
• ARB,s (angiotensin receptors blockers e.g Candesartan, Valsartan, Telmesartan, etc)
• MAO inhibitors ( eg. Phenelzine, selegeline, Tranylcypromine )
• Antidepressants 
• Zotepine
• Pramipexole
• Diuretics