Orthostatic Hypotension Treatment in India

Sarah Malhotra, a 72-year-old retired school...

Sarah Malhotra, a 72-year-old retired school librarian, had been feeling increasingly unsteady for months. A recent widow, she lived alone and had noticed that whenever she stood up from her armchair to make tea or answer the door, the room would spin violently. She had experienced two frightening near-falls in her kitchen. Her primary care physician, concerned about her safety, referred her to an internist for evaluation of possible orthostatic hypotension. The doctor recommended a 'tilt-table test' to formally diagnose the condition. During the test, Sarah was secured to a table that was slowly tilted upright while her heart rate and blood pressure were monitored. She felt the familiar, dizzying wave of lightheadedness, which was precisely captured by the equipment. The experience, while uncomfortable, was controlled and safe. Post-procedure, the diagnosis was confirmed. Sarah worked with her doctor on a recovery plan: increasing her fluid and salt intake (under supervision), learning to rise slowly, and doing simple leg-tensing exercises before standing. The outcome was transformative; her dizziness reduced dramatically, restoring her confidence to move around her home safely. Emotionally, she journeyed from a state of fear and vulnerability, worried about falling and losing her independence, to one of relief and regained control. Understanding the cause demystified her symptoms and gave her practical tools to manage them.