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my son is 15, he has Asthma, is 6'2" &

Sent to Health Experts September 27, 2006 11:08 p.m.

my son is 15, he has Asthma, is 6'2" & 180lbs. He collapsed about 4 months ago and was sent to a cardiologist. His father has HCM. My son has a constant blood pressure of 141/86 to 171/117. We take his BP twice a day and try to do it around the same time. He has had several episodes of feeling very dizzy, his arms tingling and his chest pounding or tightening. He's been awaken at night with difficulty breathing and his heart beating really fast. He's had an ecg/ekg - they said it was ok. He also has cluster headaches.......they are always on the right side of his head, he's lost his peripheral vision once and his eye has swollen several times. He's seen a Nephrologist and is scheduled for an MRI and a Doppler Ultrasound of the Kidney's. Doctor's cannot tell me why it is high or what is causing it. Any suggestions? I have him on a no caffeine, low salt diet. The cardiologist has limited him on exercise...basically, he can walk and play golf. What tests should I be asking them to take? What else can I do?
Thank you!!

Optional Information:
Male , Age: 15

Already Tried:
pediatrician, cardiologist, nephrologist, diet change.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $15

Answer
September 27, 2006 11:19 p.m. (10 minutes and 32 seconds later)

REPLIED

In some cases the episodes of the asthma atttacks can cause a raise in the blood pressure and when this happens this can increase the rate of his blood flow and cause the headaches he is experiencing. It is also possible that the headaches are to account for the raise in his blood pressure as that can be caused when the body is responding to pain and this causes the blood pressure to rise. It is good he is going for the MRI so they can determine if there is any neurological disorder that is causing the headaches and limiting his intake of not only caffeine but chocolate, coffee, cheese, and sugar can also help to reduce the amount of headaches he is experiencing. The proper tests are going to be performed with the MRI and Dopplar but if they still do not find anything showing on the MRI then the next step would be to do a complete body scan to help determine if there is another underlying cause for the symptoms he is experiencing.

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Gen. Medicine/OB/GYN Infectious Disease /STD/Sexual Health/ Orthopaedics/ Pediatrics/Internal

Reply to Cheryl K.
Sent September 27, 2006 11:24 p.m. (5 minutes and 8 seconds later)

I'm sorry, I should have been more specific regarding his Asthma. His attacks were quite frequent as a young child, he uses his inhaler maybe 2 to 3 times per year. I just wanted to be thorough in explaining everything in my initial question. I am very frustrated that it's been a little more than 4 months and we still have no answers.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Answer
September 27, 2006 11:30 p.m. (6 minutes and 17 seconds later)

ACCEPTED

If he only uses the inhaler maybe two to three times a year then this would not likely be the cause for the raise in his blood pressure but if he is experiencing dizziness and numbess in his arms then this could also be panick attacks causing these symptoms as this would also cause a raise in his blood pressure level as well. If they have not tried him on a low dose anti-anxiety medication this would be a thought as well as he may not even realize he is having anxiety but it would cause the symptoms he is experiencing as well. I would highly recommend the MRI and also the Dopplar will allow them to make sure there are not any abnormalities in his internal kidneys or organs that are causing these symptoms to occur as well. It sounds as though the headaches are the main symptom causing his rise in blood pressure so I think the MRI is very important in finding out what is causing the symptoms and headaches but panick attacks and sleep disorders such as apnea can also cause this to occur so a sleep study would be another good idea as well so they can monitor what is going on within his system and brain activity at night.

__________________
*Cheryl K* Please click the "ACCEPT" button
if my information was helpful so I get credit for my work. Bonuses and/or feedback are greatly appreciated! Click reply for more info

Cheryl K. -- Medical Assistant -- 100% Positive Feedback on 3316 Health Accepts
Gen. Medicine/OB/GYN Infectious Disease /STD/Sexual Health/ Orthopaedics/ Pediatrics/Internal

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