Diabetic Neuropathy: Treatment for Blood Pressure Problems - Topic Overview
Diabetic neuropathy can cause low or high blood pressure.
- People who have extremely low blood pressure when they rise from a seated or reclining position (orthostatic hypotension) may benefit from wearing support stockings (also called compression stockings), which may keep blood from pooling in the legs. Increasing the salt in your diet and drinking plenty of fluids-as long as they don't contain sugar-can also help by preventing dehydration. Dehydration can make the drop in blood pressure worse when standing or sitting. Midodrine (ProAmatine) is a medicine commonly used to manage low blood pressure. Fludrocortisone, a corticosteroid medicine, may sometimes help relieve orthostatic hypotension.
- High blood pressure in people with diabetic neuropathy may be treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as benazepril (Lotensin) and enalapril (Vasotec). ACE inhibitors are preferred over other blood pressure medicines for people who have diabetes because ACE inhibitors don't affect blood sugar levels and they help protect the kidneys from damage. For more information about ACE inhibitors, see the topics High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) and Diabetic Nephropathy.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Diabetic Neuropathy: Treatment for Blood Pressure Problems Topics
Is This Normal? Get the Facts Fast!
Answer:
0-69
70-130
131+
Your level is currently
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.
However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
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