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Is Severe Headaches Caused By Thalassemia?
Question: I recently moved from sea level (NYC) to about 9000 feet (in CO). I lived in CO 20 yrs ago & noticed some digestive symptoms, which I later attributed to having thalassemia minor. Also, I was hospitalized a couple months ago for internal bleeding due to ovarian cysts & my hemoglobin count dropped to 7. It's normally around 10.5 tho. So, I got my 1st period here 2 days ago. The 1st day, I felt dizzy, fatigued & out of it. Yesterday, I felt good, but last night I had a couple glasses of wine, hadn't eaten in about 9 hours & I actually passed out. Any comments? I've been in CO for 13 days now. The 1st few days, I had a severe headache. Would you attribute these symptoms to the thalassemia & altitude? Any more info on this would be helpful. Symptoms seem to range & there's not a lot of direct info on the correlation.
Brief Answer:
Altitude problem
Detailed Answer:
Hi
The severe headache and passing out is due to altitude problem.
At high altitude cerebral edema in which fluid builds up within the brain can happen.
Since you passed out i will advise you to do blood test for haemoglobin and CT scan of brain.
You must try to rest and stay warm.
For headache you can take tablet acetaminophen
Do not use sleeping pills or other central nervous system depressants to treat because they can suppress breathing.
If symptoms worsen, descend approximately 1,000-2,000 feet immediately.
If descent is not possible, a portable hyperbaric chamber (Gamow bag) can be used to simulate a lower altitude.
Regards
DR De
Altitude problem
Detailed Answer:
Hi
The severe headache and passing out is due to altitude problem.
At high altitude cerebral edema in which fluid builds up within the brain can happen.
Since you passed out i will advise you to do blood test for haemoglobin and CT scan of brain.
You must try to rest and stay warm.
For headache you can take tablet acetaminophen
Do not use sleeping pills or other central nervous system depressants to treat because they can suppress breathing.
If symptoms worsen, descend approximately 1,000-2,000 feet immediately.
If descent is not possible, a portable hyperbaric chamber (Gamow bag) can be used to simulate a lower altitude.
Regards
DR De
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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