I am 87 years old and every time I weed my garden I get very dizzy. I also get low blood pressure when this happens. I take losartan for blood pressure and have well controlled type 2 diabetes. What could be the problem?
Dr. Ellie Cannon responds: Gardening at 87 is probably very good for your health, so it’s important to find ways to manage these symptoms.
It is not uncommon for patients taking blood pressure medications to experience dizziness, especially when bending over. This can occur when blood pressure drops too low. It is a side effect that can be potentially dangerous, as a sudden bout of dizziness can lead to a serious fall.
It’s not uncommon for patients taking blood pressure medications to experience dizziness, writes Dr. Ellie Cannon, particularly when bending over, such as when gardening.
Dizziness is not usually associated with the use of losartan. However, it is possible that too high a dose may trigger this side effect.
Anyone experiencing this symptom should consider asking their GP whether they should take a lower dose of losartan.
Switching to a different type of blood pressure pill, called an ACE inhibitor, may also solve this problem.
Another way to prevent your blood pressure from dropping suddenly is to wear compression stockings. These are tight socks that gently squeeze your legs to help blood flow back toward your heart.
I have been receiving emails promoting natural remedies that apparently cure Alzheimer’s. They contain mushrooms and claim to have no side effects. I am afraid that I may suffer from dementia. Would these remedies help?
Dr. Ellie Cannon responds: This has all the hallmarks of a health scam. Unfortunately, there are no drugs that can cure the degenerative brain disease Alzheimer’s.
There are two drugs – lecanemab and donanemab – that appear to marginally slow its progression.
But these are powerful drugs administered in hospitals that can have numerous serious side effects, and they are certainly not natural remedies. Their benefit is so marginal that health authorities have decided not to distribute them in the National Health System.
Anyone who claims to offer a treatment that can cure Alzheimer’s is lying.
It is important to remember that the word “natural” is not an indication that something is safe or actually effective.
There are many medicines made from natural ingredients, but they undergo extensive clinical trials before being approved for use.
It is also dishonest to claim that a medical treatment has no side effects. Even the simplest medications, such as ibuprofen and paracetamol, can cause side effects in some people.
The good news is that doctors are increasingly understanding the steps people can take to reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer’s, such as exercising, stopping alcohol and smoking, losing weight, and increasing social contact by visiting friends and family.
Interestingly, research also suggests that wearing glasses to correct poor vision (as well as cataract surgery if necessary) can also reduce the risk of developing the condition. The same can be said for wearing hearing aids, if necessary.
These are all simple and effective measures that you can discuss with your GP and that will really make a difference, unlike some unproven (and probably expensive) bags of mushrooms.
I am 75 years old and have been suffering from a rash on my neck, hands and eyes for a year. My GP has prescribed steroid creams but they have not helped. I don’t know what to do. What can I do?
Dr. Ellie Cannon responds: A persistent rash is sometimes a sign of an allergic reaction. If the cause is not treated, no cream will solve the uncomfortable problem. A possible trigger could be a food allergy, so anyone who suffers from a new rash should consider whether they have introduced a new type of food into their diet recently. In some cases, supplements can also trigger an allergic reaction.
Other possible causes include new cosmetic products, including shampoos, soaps and moisturizers, as well as laundry detergents.
People who suffer from a persistent rash should consider taking an antihistamine tablet. If the cause of the problem is an allergy, a difference should be noticed after starting to take the daily pill.
A fungal infection can also cause a rash, so an antifungal body wash may help. This is something that a GP can prescribe for you. Another condition to be aware of is dermatomyositis, a rare health problem that causes muscle weakness and a rash.
Some patients do not experience muscle weakness at first, so the absence of this symptom does not necessarily rule out the possibility of having it. This should be investigated by a dermatologist.
If the rash persists, patients should seek referral to a dermatologist.
Immunotherapy could be a useful treatment for hay fever (photo taken by model)
Pollen pills reduce hay fever symptoms
Did you think it was time to stop thinking about hay fever? Think again: if you want to combat annoying allergy symptoms, now is the best time.
Immunotherapy is a growing field of treatment. It involves taking small pills filled with pollen every day for several months. The idea is to train the immune system to get used to the presence of pollen, so that when allergy season starts again, it will mount a weaker response and therefore cause fewer bothersome symptoms.
My teenage son, who has terrible hay fever, is starting immunotherapy this month and I’m excited to see if it works in time for exam season next year.
I’ll be sure to keep you posted as I think it could make a real difference to a lot of people.
Drinking at home, a real danger
I am working with a campaign called the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking, which advises people on how to moderate their alcohol consumption in an effort to combat alcoholism.
There is a culture of binge drinking in Britain and many people don’t realise how dangerous it can be. Alcohol increases the risk of life-threatening diseases such as cancer, heart disease and dementia, so we should all do our best to cut down.
However, I know that this is easier said than done.
Many of my patients say they could never stop drinking because they love drinking with friends and are worried about losing their social life.
I always advise that if you want to drink less, a good first step is to eliminate all alcohol from your home.
We’re all guilty of serving ourselves overly generous portions. So stop it!