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Ask an expert
Q
What makes blood
pressure go down,
and what could happen
if it stays really low?
Q
What causes
stroke, and how
do I prevent it?
Q
My nose drips clear
fluid all the time.
What causes it, and what
can I do about it?
I
f you also have itching and
sneezing, then the culprit is
probably allergies, in which case
avoiding things you’re allergic
to is important. There are
antihistamines, such as loratadine
(Claritin), and anti-inflammatory
nasal sprays that can be quite
helpful.
If you don’t have the additional
symptoms, you may have
vasomotor (nonallergic) rhinitis.
Triggers of nonallergic rhinitis
vary from person to person and
can include certain odors or
irritants in the air, changes in
the weather, some medications,
certain foods and chronic health
conditions. Tests can rule out
allergies as the cause, and your
doctor can recommend over-
the-counter medications and
home remedies, such as using a
humidifier and staying hydrated.
S
troke is an important topic,
and May is National Stroke
Awareness Month. Most strokes
are caused by either a hemorrhage
(bleeding into or around the
brain) or an interruption of blood
flow to the brain. Strokes are
sudden and can occur at any age,
although the risk grows as we age.
Most strokes occur in people older
than 50.
There is no guaranteed way to
prevent stroke, but controllable
risk factors include high
blood pressure, smoking, high
cholesterol, diabetes, obesity,
heart disease, sedentary lifestyle
and recreational drug use. For
more information, visit our stroke
website,
www.knowstroke.org
.
M
any things can cause blood
pressure to drop below
normal. The top (systolic) number
should always stay at 90 or above.
Dehydration is a common cause
of low blood pressure, as are
certain medications, especially
heart medications, medications
to treat high blood pressure and
some medications used to treat
psychiatric diseases. Problems
with the adrenal glands can also
cause low blood pressure but such
conditions are rare.
Even moderate forms of low
blood pressure can cause dizziness,
weakness and fainting that can
lead to risk for injury from falls.
And severely low blood pressure
from any cause can deprive your
body of enough oxygen to carry out
its normal functions, potentially
damaging your heart, brain,
kidneys and other organs.
Frank Littell, MD
Hospitalist
PeaceHealth Hospital Medicine
3377 RiverBend Dr.
Springfield, OR 97477
541-222-6389
Ray Englander, MD
Medical Director
Sacred Heart’s Advanced
Primary Stroke Center
3333 RiverBend Drive, Sixth Floor
Springfield, OR 97477
541-222-7175
Mark Lyon, MD
Family Medicine
PeaceHealth Medical Group
3299 Hilyard St.
Eugene, OR 97405
541-342-3338
BLOOD PRESSURE
ALLERGIES
STROKE
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