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Suggest Treatment For Dizziness When Diagnosed With COPD
My hubby has dizzy fainting spells. Some with warning, some not. Fell twice in one month and had to have stitches both times. Out for maybe 15 secs and then he is fine. Blood pressure drops 70/55 or lower several times a week. He does have COPD, Fainting spells scare me more than anything going on with him. COPD is only thing diagnosed thus far.
Mon, 21 Jan 2019
Hello,
Dizziness can be for many different reasons. COPD is usually related to pulmonary hypertension, rather than hypotension.
If his blood pressure dropped to such low readings and this occurs on and off, with reported symptoms and syncopal episodes, he should be seen by a local doctor or ER to investigate why his blood pressure keeps coming down.
If his blood pressure still runs in the low end and if he is currently on any blood pressure medications, he should reduce the dose or discontinue as long as his BP continues to drop.
In this case, he will need to discuss with his doctor to reduce the dose or discontinue one of the blood pressure treatment if he is taking multiples.
If he is not taking any medications, current dizziness with low blood pressure may simply due to orthostatic hypotension or dehydration or mixed presentation.
Have him to continue to work on oral hydration with Gatorade and make sure to follow up with his primary care doctor to check his blood tests to ensure and rule out.
Other likely causes that might contribute to symptoms such as Anemia (with low blood pressure, I cannot rule out likelihood of GI bleeding), electrolyte imbalances, kidney function or thyroid function.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Katie Lee, General & Family Physician
Dizziness can be for many different reasons. COPD is usually related to pulmonary hypertension, rather than hypotension.
If his blood pressure dropped to such low readings and this occurs on and off, with reported symptoms and syncopal episodes, he should be seen by a local doctor or ER to investigate why his blood pressure keeps coming down.
If his blood pressure still runs in the low end and if he is currently on any blood pressure medications, he should reduce the dose or discontinue as long as his BP continues to drop.
In this case, he will need to discuss with his doctor to reduce the dose or discontinue one of the blood pressure treatment if he is taking multiples.
If he is not taking any medications, current dizziness with low blood pressure may simply due to orthostatic hypotension or dehydration or mixed presentation.
Have him to continue to work on oral hydration with Gatorade and make sure to follow up with his primary care doctor to check his blood tests to ensure and rule out.
Other likely causes that might contribute to symptoms such as Anemia (with low blood pressure, I cannot rule out likelihood of GI bleeding), electrolyte imbalances, kidney function or thyroid function.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Katie Lee, General & Family Physician
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