Question: For the last two months I've been experiencing much ringing in the ears. I have had tintitis for about two decades, but this is something different--more like a chorus of cicadas. Also, I have pressure on my head. Sometimes I'm dizzy, and I do seem to have increased anxiety, leading to sleeplessness. Can you help?

Thank you, Dr. Aggerwal. I don't notice much hearing loss, but there is some. I haven't pursued anything other than asking you; so no audiometry. Only medicine I take is 81 mg. of aspirin daily.

The blood pressure question is a concern. Until very recently, I have had exceptionally low blood pressure. Sometimes when my blood pressure is taken, it remains exceptionally low, as it did before my first cataract surgery. However, it was rather high for the second cataract surgery, and for the follow-up surgery on that eye. I am otherwise in good health, but worried. Hypertension runs in my family.

I was reading last night about Marfal syndrome (or disease--can't remember), and I appear to meet some of the criteria on the Ghent scale. Believe me, I know how dangerous it is for someone untrained in medicine to look into these things. But I was working on something else, and simply followed the trail that led to Marfal's. My mother died of a massive heart attack at 82. I'm 67, and admittedly, I've been backsliding in the diet and exercise department. Any other thoughts, Doctor?

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