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Suggest Treatment For Hypertension In An Elderly Person
Question: General Medicine | My brother is 60 years old and has high blood pressure. He also happens to be odd with symptoms of ASD. So I am suspicious of things he says. He claims that he ate too much salt in his food a few days ago and shortly after noticed Swelling in his hands and feet. He also said he throat swelled and his speech slurred. As well as inability to focus. He reused to go to the ER and said they could not do anything except give him an IV of fluid so why bother. He told me he began to drink lots of water to flush the salt. Two days later he says his blood pressure went down a little and he continues to drink lots of water to flush out the salt. He said his blood pressure was 196 over 80.
My question is what is this condition called? I have never heard of someone reacting to too much salt like this.
My question is what is this condition called? I have never heard of someone reacting to too much salt like this.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
I understand your concern and would explain that there are two conditions which could cause a similar clinical scenario:
-a fluid overload (body fluid retention). This could be related to heart failure, kidney disorder or a metabolic disorder.
-a food allergy, induced by a specific food that would lead to feet, hands and throat, which would be a medical emergency.
Anyway, you should know that no one of the above conditions could not fully explain this symptomatology and some of his symptoms may be mixed up with some fantasy or changes in his perception.
But these values of blood pressure are really high and you need to consult him with a doctor.
I recommend you to closely monitor his blood pressure different times during the day for some days and refer those values to his attending physician. Besides a careful physical examination, some tests are necessary to be done:
- a resting ECG and a cardiac ultrasound to examine his cardiac function
- a chest X ray study
- some blood lab tests (complete blood count, PCR, sedimentation rate, thyroid hormone levels, kidney and liver function tests, blood osmolarity, blood electrolytes and fasting glucose).
Allergy tests may be needed if suspicions of a possible allergy reaction (not related to salt intake)are raised.
Hope to have been of help!
Feel free to ask any other questions, whenever you need!
Wishing all the best for this New Year!
Greetings!
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
I understand your concern and would explain that there are two conditions which could cause a similar clinical scenario:
-a fluid overload (body fluid retention). This could be related to heart failure, kidney disorder or a metabolic disorder.
-a food allergy, induced by a specific food that would lead to feet, hands and throat, which would be a medical emergency.
Anyway, you should know that no one of the above conditions could not fully explain this symptomatology and some of his symptoms may be mixed up with some fantasy or changes in his perception.
But these values of blood pressure are really high and you need to consult him with a doctor.
I recommend you to closely monitor his blood pressure different times during the day for some days and refer those values to his attending physician. Besides a careful physical examination, some tests are necessary to be done:
- a resting ECG and a cardiac ultrasound to examine his cardiac function
- a chest X ray study
- some blood lab tests (complete blood count, PCR, sedimentation rate, thyroid hormone levels, kidney and liver function tests, blood osmolarity, blood electrolytes and fasting glucose).
Allergy tests may be needed if suspicions of a possible allergy reaction (not related to salt intake)are raised.
Hope to have been of help!
Feel free to ask any other questions, whenever you need!
Wishing all the best for this New Year!
Greetings!
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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