May also be called: Postural Hypotension Orthostatic hypotension is an abnormal drop in blood pressure that occurs when someone goes from sitting or lying down to standing up. This reduction in blood flow causes an oxygen shortage in the brain, leading to lightheadedness, dizziness, and sometimes fainting. More to Know The body has natural systems in place to quickly regulate blood pressure when changes in blood flow occur. With orthostatic hypotension, however, these natural systems are interrupted. Certain medications can cause orthostatic hypotension, as can dehydration due to vomiting, diarrhea, untreated diabetes, or excessive sweating. Severe bleeding, heart problems, nervous system disorders, and other factors can also trigger the condition. Besides feeling faint, someone experiencing orthostatic hypotension might have blurry vision or feel nauseated, weak, and confused. After standing, symptoms usually last for only a few seconds to a few minutes. If they continue longer or there is loss of consciousness, an underlying condition might be involved that requires treatment. Treatment for orthostatic hypotension may include medications or increasing fluids and salt in the diet. Standing up slowly, wearing elastic stockings, and sleeping with the head slightly elevated also can help ease the effects of orthostatic hypotension. Keep in Mind While orthostatic hypotension can sometimes indicate a more serious problem, most cases can be successfully treated. All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts. Back to Articles Related Articles Word! Blood Pressure When you go to the doctor, a nurse might put a band around part of your arm and pump air into the band, blowing it up like a balloon. Read More A to Z Symptom: Fainting In most cases, fainting is not a sign of a dangerous problem, but should still be discussed with a doctor. Read More Fainting Fainting is pretty common in teens. The good news is that most of the time it's not a sign of something serious. Read More First Aid: Fainting Fainting is a loss of consciousness that can be caused by many things. Here's what to do if your child faints or is about to faint. Read More Dehydration Sometimes kids lose fluids and salts through fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or sweating. Here are some tips on preventing or treating dehydration. Read More Dehydration Dehydration is when the amount of water in the body has dropped too low. Read about what causes dehydration, what it does to your body, and how to prevent it. Read More Diarrhea Most kids battle diarrhea from time to time, so it's important to know what to do to relieve and even prevent it. Read More Vomiting Most vomiting is caused by gastroenteritis, and usually isn't serious. These home-care tips can help prevent dehydration. Read More Dehydration Our bodies need water to work properly. Find out more in this article for kids. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.