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Written by Robert J Lewis
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 READERS QUESTIONS
I have received a number of questions from readers and four of those I have decided to cover in this edition. As always, this column is meant for general advice only, therefore if you have any concerns you should see a healthcare professional in person.
What causes low blood pressure?
Low blood pressure is known as hypotension and is blood pressure low enough to cause symptoms such as fainting and dizziness. The more blood pumped from the heart per minute, the higher the blood pressure. The amount of blood pumped may be reduced if the heart’s contractions are weakened or it beats slower. A very fast heartbeat which reduces the efficiency of the heart’s pumping action may also reduce cardiac output, which could also be the case with other types of abnormal rhythms. Blood loss from dehydration or bleeding can reduce the volume of blood and decrease blood pressure. Low blood pressure may also occur as a result of a malfunction in the body’s mechanisms that would normally maintain blood pressure; for example, if the nerves are unable to conduct the required signals properly due to disease, then the compensatory control mechanisms may not operate correctly. Some of the causes of low blood pressure include: heart muscle damage, heart valve disorders, diarrhoea, excessive sweating, excessive urination, septic shock and the use of vasodilator drugs. Generally speaking there are more problems associated with high blood pressure than there are with low blood pressure, and if you are fit and healthy with low blood pressure you are likely to live longer.
What is Reye’s Syndrome?
Reye’s Syndrome is a rare but very serious and often life threatening disorder usually occurring in children, that causes inflammation of the brain and rapid accumulation of fat in the liver. Although the cause of Reye’s syndrome is unknown, certain viruses, such as influenza A or B or the chickenpox virus may be involved, possibly in combination with the taking of aspirin. Therefore, due to the risk of Reye’s, the taking of aspirin by children and teenagers is considered to have potential dangers.
I’ve got a dead leg, what should I do about it?
A dead leg occurs in the outer front side of the quadriceps muscle and is usually caused by a kick or knee in contact sports (football, rugby etc).
The result of the blow is bleeding within the muscle due to damage of the muscle fibres and the small blood vessels within the tissues. This causes a bruise on the muscle, with possible swelling, and the sportsperson is often left limping with a weakened muscle for several days.
48 hours of Ice, Compression, Elevation and Rest is essential to prevent further internal bleeding, It is important that heat is avoided during this period.
After 48 hours gentle stretching can be commenced with local heat and possibly ultrasound if available. Gradually include strengthening exercises.
Note: It is important to minimise, as much as possible, bleeding in a muscle, as calcification of the blood clot in the muscle tissue can occur - this is known as myositis ossificans.
Can cold sores be cured?
The short answer is no. Typically a young child gets the herpes simplex virus from an adult with a cold sore who kisses them. In many cases the child’s symptoms are fairly mild and may go unrecognised, but it can also cause gum inflammation, extensive mouth soreness, high temperature and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. However, whilst the child usually gets better in a week or so, the herpes simplex virus never leaves the body and the infection often returns later in life as a local reactivation of the virus producing a cold sore, and known as secondary herpes. Those who contract oral herpes as an adult often experience more severe symptoms. Cold sores usually appear due to sunburn on the lips, a cold, fever, food allergies, injury to the mouth, dental treatment or anxiety. Treatment for secondary herpes works best when started before the sore erupts, and most sufferers are able to anticipate it due to a tingling sensation or discomfort in the area a day or so before the blister appears. Treatment can include the use of Aciclovir ointment such as Zovirax which will reduce the severity of a cold sore outbreak.
If you have any questions you would like answered in this column email them to
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or to health4u
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