Low blood pressure, also known as hypotension, is usually considered a sign of good health and low risk for cardiovascular disease. However, there are times when persistently low blood pressure or a sudden drop can be a sign of an underlying health issue that needs medical attention. Knowing when low blood pressure becomes a problem can help ensure timely intervention and proper care.

Blood pressure readings consist of two numbers:

Systolic pressure (the top number) indicates the pressure in your arteries when your heart pumps blood. Diastolic pressure (the bottom number) reflects the pressure in your arteries while your heart is resting between beats.

The normal reading is usually 120/80 mmHg or less. Hypotension is clinically defined as having blood pressure readings less than 90/60 mmHg. In some patients, low blood pressure will have no adverse health consequences and therefore does not need to be treated. In extreme cases, however, it can limit the flow of oxygen and nutrients to vital organs, resulting in potentially life-threatening complications, such as shock.

Causes of Low Blood Pressure

Hypotension can result from many factors. Some of the factors that cause hypotension are as follows:

• Insufficient fluid intake or excessive fluid loss can lead to decreased blood volume and hence hypotension.
• An injury or internal bleeding may result in hypotension. This happens because blood pressure becomes significantly reduced.
• Some hormonal changes along with the increased blood requirement during pregnancy also causes hypotension.
• Issues like heart failure or arrhythmias can impair blood circulation and result in low blood pressure.
• Certain drugs, including diuretics, antidepressants, and blood-pressure-lowering medications, can induce hypotension.

Symptoms of Hypotension

While low blood pressure may not always cause symptoms, it can sometimes be associated with:

- Dizziness or fainting

- Fatigue and weakness

- Blurred vision

- Nausea

- Confusion or difficulty concentrating

- Shallow breathing

- Palpitations

If the person experiences these symptoms, with the recorded blood pressure reading, the medical services have to be consulted.

Types of Low Blood Pressure

1. Orthostatic Hypotension: This is a kind of hypotension that appears as a result of decreased blood pressure when a person is standing up from lying down or sitting position and primarily affects elderly people.

2. Postprandial Hypotension: This is a drop in blood pressure after eating, more common in older people.

3. Neurally Mediated Hypotension: It is triggered by standing for long periods. This type can affect younger people and is associated with miscommunication between the brain and heart.

When Is Low Blood Pressure Dangerous?

There is no such thing as a universal threshold for very low blood pressure, but a blood pressure reading below 90/60 mmHg can be dangerous and require prompt medical assessment if accompanied by symptoms of fainting, confusion, or shortness of breath. Sudden falls in blood pressure may point to potentially serious underlying causes, which can include:

• Internal bleeding
• Sepsis (severe infection)
• Allergic reactions

Management and Treatment

Treatment of hypotension depends on its cause:

• Hydration Drinking more water can help against dehydration-related hypotension.
• Compression Stockings: These can improve circulation and reduce blood pooling in the lower limbs.
• Dietary Changes: Increasing salt intake under supervision can help increase blood pressure
• Medication Changes: The physician may need to reduce dosages of some medications or replace prescriptions.

For more severe cases, physicians might also administer fludrocortisone or midodrine to increase blood pressure. Shock from hypotension should be treated promptly to ensure proper function of organs.

Can Hypotension Cause Fatigue?

Chronic fatigue syndrome has also been associated with low blood pressure. Prolonged tiredness, despite adequate rest, may require reassessment of blood pressure levels. Fatigue secondary to hypotension will impact functionality and thus requires assessment and treatment of the cause.

When to Seek Medical Care

If your blood pressure readings are low consistently and without symptoms, you probably have nothing to worry about. If you do have symptoms like dizziness, fainting, or confusion, you need to go to the doctor. Blood pressure checks are usually conducted regularly. Once you are aware of your own normal baseline, you will know right away when there is something wrong.

Lifestyle Tips That Support Normal Blood Pressure

1. Other than directly treating hypotension, a healthy lifestyle overall would promote balanced blood pressure levels.
2. Exercise regularly; it promotes cardiovascular health and can help regulate blood pressure.
3. Focus on nutrient-dense foods rich in iron, B vitamins, and electrolytes to support circulatory health.
4. Excessive alcohol consumption dehydrates the body and lowers blood pressure.
5. Practices like yoga and meditation can help maintain a healthy blood pressure range.

Delhi’s air quality has taken a severe turn for the worse. As of Monday morning, November 3, 2025, the air across the capital officially slipped into the "Very Poor" category. Government data shows that the Air Quality Index (AQI) hit 316 by 9 am, meaning the air is now considered a significant health risk. In fact, one private monitor estimates that breathing the air in Delhi is currently as harmful as smoking 7.8 cigarettes a day.

Researchers and healthcare professionals have explained how pollution not only affects our breathing and lung function, but it affects multiple organs. A 2024 study published in the Scientific Reports journal showed that PM2.5 pollution particles are linked with reduction in life expectancy by 3.7 years.

However, when it comes to organ functions, pollution affects different organs differently. Here’s how.

Why Does Pollution Affect Our Organ Health?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is when the air contains one or more harmful substances like dust, smoke, fumes, or gas for a long time as they hurt our health.

The main way these pollutants affect us is by being breathed in. When you inhale them, they cause damage throughout your body, leading to:

• Inflammation (swelling)
• Stress on your cells
• A weaker immune system
• Changes to your cells that can cause disease (mutagenicity)

What Organs Are Affected By Pollution?

Here is a list of organs that you may not know were affected by pollution.

Brain and Mind

According to UC Davis Environmental Health Sciences Center, these pollutants are small they can travel from your lungs directly into your brain. This toxic exposure is concerning for long-term brain health. It's been linked to a higher risk of developing severe conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It may also impact children, potentially affecting intelligence, and increasing the risk of disorders like autism. Research also shows a higher risk of stroke, depression, and anxiety disorders.

Air pollution doesn't just cause disease; it can also cause more immediate, subtle effects on healthy people, which is often called "brain fog" decreased productivity or trouble thinking clearly. Studies across various jobs, from farm workers to office workers—show that short bursts of high outdoor pollution lead to decreased work output.

Heart and Lungs

According to the WHO, the lungs are hit first, leading to immediate problems like asthma and long-term illnesses like lung cancer or emphysema. Once in the bloodstream, the particles tighten your blood vessels (arteries), which forces the heart to work much harder. This sharply increases your risk for life-threatening events like strokes and heart disease.

Skin

The Airly organization explains that your skin is naturally covered in a layer of helpful bacteria, fungi, and viruses—called the microbiome. Air pollutants (like smog) disrupt the size and variety of this helpful microbiome. When this balance is broken, harmful bacteria can grow out of control.

Being the body’s largest organ and completely exposed, shows damage from air pollution through signs like faster aging, more wrinkles, and rashes. Surprisingly, the internal effects go deeper: prolonged exposure to harmful chemicals found in pollution, such as PAHs and ozone, you face an increased risk of developing skin cancer.

Bone

According to a 2024 study published in the Current Osteoporosis Reports, growing evidence shows a link between air pollution and a higher risk of osteoporosis, a disease that makes bones weak. This is a major concern for our aging population, as severe bone fractures greatly increase death risk. While we don't know the exact pollutants or how they cause this, initial research suggests inflammation from dirty air may damage the bones. Identifying this pathway could lead to new treatments.

Kidney

According to the National Kidney Foundation, pollution adds a major toxic burden to your body's internal cleaning crew. A study of 2.5 million U.S. veterans found that breathing polluted air significantly increases the risk of developing kidney disease. The scientists estimated that over the course of the study, air pollution may have caused roughly 45,000 new cases of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and forced over 2,400 patients to start dialysis.

While the exact way air pollution damages the kidneys is still unknown, one main idea is that the tiny pollution particles you inhale travel from your lungs into your bloodstream. The kidneys then try to filter this contaminated blood, and in the process, the tiny particles directly damage the kidney cells.

Reproductive System

According to the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India pregnant people, pollution exposure increases the likelihood of miscarriages and can harm the developing baby, leading to health issues in unborn and newborn children. It threatens the future health of the population.

When a pregnant woman is exposed to pollutants, it causes an inflammatory reaction that can harm the pregnancy. This toxic exposure is linked to serious problems, including preterm labor, fetal growth restriction, death of the baby before or during birth.

Studies confirm that inhaling tiny pollution particles (PM) and nanoparticles (NP) causes excessive cell damage, leading to mutations in DNA and damage to fats and proteins in the body.

Digestive Health

According to the Northwell Health Organization, new research suggests that the tiny particles found in it contribute to digestive illnesses.

Exposure to pollution also stresses your body. This chronic, pollution-induced stress leads to an overload of inflammation and cell damage (oxidative stress) in the digestive system. This can contribute to common conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

Breathing in things like fine particles, fumes, and gases can cause inflammation in the digestive tract. Long-term exposure to dirty air is linked to higher risks of GERD and IBD.

Experts and social media users are warning people about the herbal drink ‘Feel Free’ and other products containing kratom, a compound that acts in ways similar to opioids, according to NBC News. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also raised concerns, noting that kratom-based items—derived from a plant native to Southeast Asia—are being sold in gas stations, convenience stores, and vape shops across the United States. This growing availability has sparked questions: What exactly is kratom, and why has it been banned in several U.S. states?

What Is Feel Free?

‘Feel Free’ is a small blue-bottled herbal tonic made by a company called Botanic Tonics. Its key ingredients are Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) and Kava (Piper methysticum), plants with long histories of traditional use, kratom in Southeast Asia and kava in the South Pacific.

Though often marketed as natural mood boosters, experts caution that their effects on the brain and body are complex and potentially risky. When taken together, kratom and kava can produce sensations of calm euphoria or mental clarity, but they may also trigger side effects and dependency over time.

What Is Kava or Kratom Found in Feel Free Drinks?

Kava- and kratom-based drinks are often promoted as energy or mood-enhancing beverages, yet some users say they can be habit-forming. Kratom works as a stimulant in smaller amounts and acts like an opioid at higher doses, while Kava produces calming, sedative effects, making it popular for easing anxiety or stress.

Although kava is not known to be physically addictive, using it frequently or combining it with alcohol has been associated with liver damage. Many regular consumers of ‘Feel Free’ report needing multiple bottles daily to function normally or to prevent fatigue and irritability. This growing tolerance and dependence echo patterns seen in other substance use problems.

FDA Does Not Approve Kava or Kratom

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the FDA has not approved kava for treating any medical condition. It is available only as a dietary supplement, and in 2002 the agency issued a warning linking kava-containing products to serious liver injury, including liver failure. The FDA recommends speaking with a healthcare provider before using any kava-based supplement.

So, Is 'Feel Free' Safe to Consume?

Botanic Tonics, the company behind Feel Free, told The Independent that the NBC News story contained “false and misleading statements” and that it had received no reports of severe addiction from customers. In 2023, however, the company agreed to pay $8.75 million to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing it of not disclosing kratom-related riskswithout admitting any wrongdoing.

While the product is sold legally in many health food shops and gas stations, that does not mean it’s risk-free. Because neither kratom nor kava are regulated or approved by the FDA, there is little oversight on their safety or how they interact when combined in drinks like Feel Free. Some countries have completely banned kratom, and several U.S. states and cities have restricted its sale. Still, public awareness remains limited, and many consumers—particularly younger people, may not realize they’re consuming ingredients that could lead to dependence.

‘Feel Free’ might look like a typical energy drink, but the blend of kratom and kava carries genuine health risks, especially for people who rely on such products to cope with stress or boost focus. That short burst of energy or calm may come at a far greater cost in the long run.

Delhi Air Quality Index (AQI) Level Today, 03 November 2025: Delhi’s air quality took a sharp downturn on Monday, slipping deep into the “very poor” category as pollution levels surged across the capital. At 9 a.m., the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 316, according to data from the Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS).

Forecasts suggest that the air quality will stay “very poor” on November 3 and 5, and could worsen to “severe” on November 4. Experts expect this trend to continue throughout the week. With Diwali week behind us, the question now is, what is driving this sudden decline in Delhi’s air quality?

Delhi Air Quality Worsens

The air in Delhi and the wider NCR has been deteriorating steadily since Diwali ended. On Monday, November 3, the national capital recorded an overall AQI of 324 at 6:05 a.m., according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Sameer app, keeping it in the “very poor” range. The Air Quality Early Warning System predicts this pattern will continue for several more days, with the AQI possibly dipping into the “severe” category on November 4. Despite the festivities being over, pollution levels remain high, raising concern over what’s causing the continued decline.

Farm Fires Add to Delhi’s Pollution

The Decision Support System (DSS) for air quality management has not updated its latest data, but its October 30 forecast showed that farm fires were responsible for roughly 9% of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution, with Haryana’s Jhajjar district contributing the most at about 10.66%. Earlier in the season, Delhi’s PM2.5 contribution from stubble burning had stayed below 1%, but in early November, it climbed to around 2%. This rise shows the usual seasonal spike in farm fires, which typically peaks in early November.

Other Factors Behind Delhi’s Falling Air Quality

Delhi’s poor air is not caused by one source alone. Vehicle emissions, construction and demolition dust, and industrial discharge all play major roles in making the air toxic. Seasonal triggers such as stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana and leftover Diwali fireworks make the situation worse. Winds blowing from the northwest carry smoke from these fires directly into Delhi. According to EWS data, wind speeds dropped below 5 kmph on the night of November 2, allowing pollutants to stay close to the ground rather than dispersing.

Why Delhi Suffers More During Pollution Season

Delhi’s geography makes it especially prone to pollution build-up. The city sits in a low-lying plain surrounded by hills and plateaus, forming a basin that traps smog and fine particles. As winter sets in, the cooler air and frequent temperature inversions make the problem worse, preventing pollutants from rising and dispersing into the upper layers of the atmosphere.

Starting November 1, the Delhi government began enforcing the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) directive across the NCR and nearby regions.

The rule bans entry of commercial vehicles that are either not registered in Delhi or fail to meet BS-IV emission norms. Only vehicles powered by CNG, LNG, electricity, or those compliant with BS-VI standards are allowed into the city.

According to official data, October ended on a worrying note for Delhi. The city’s average AQI for the month stood at 223, ranking it in the “poor” category and marking it as the second-worst October for air quality in the past five years.