Ask the Doc...
Palpitations
|
Advice from our panel of doctors in response to readers' queries.
|
Abraham Jojy, Kochi:
I am 48 years old working in a public sector Bank, married with two children. I suffer from palpitation. The symptom is felt soon after meals and when there is a change in the posture (sitting or standing). I feel difficulty in climbing steps. My BP and ECG reports show nothing abnormal. I was advised to take Ciplar (with a little of Trika at night). There is no change in the symptom. I continued the medicine for about six months. Now I have stopped taking the medicine. Is this some serious problem with the heart? Kindly advise me.
Dr. P. Ramachandran, Senior Consultant Cardiologist, replies:
The palpitations soon after meals reflect possible reactive hypoglycaemia, a pre-diabetic condition. The symptoms will be aggravated by carbohydrate load (rice, bread, idli) and will be lessened by protein and fatty meal. Are you gaining weight? Do you have a family history of diabetes? You need to do Glucose Tolerance Test and serum insulin levels to identify the cause. In any case, substitute more protein for carbohydrate un your diet and eat slowly, chewing the food well to reduce the excess insulin being secreted. Beta-blockers like Ciplar and calcium channel blockers like verapamil are effective by retarding insulin release and bring relief.
* * *
Myasthenia gravis
Vijayakumar:
My mother is suffering from myasthenia gravis.
She is on wysolone 45mg and tilstigmine 15mg at a four-hour interval daily. But still feels tired and is unable to lead a normal life. Is there a permanent cure? Will continuous use of these drugs cause serious side effects? Her food intake is normal.
Dr. Prithika Chary, Consultant Neurologist and Neurosurgeon, replies:
Myasthenia Gravis is a muscle disorder associated with fatigue and weakness due to inefficient neuromuscular transmission of impulses. This is due to a disturbance of immune function resulting in the body not recognising its own tissue as its own and hence leading to reactions against it.
Tilstigmine helps improve neurotransmission and Wysolone suppresses the rejection immune reaction. Wysolone is a steroid and has side effects in high doses over prolonged usage.
These include stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, increase in blood sugar, thinning of bones, weight gain, etc
In your mother's case I am sure your doctor will monitor and balance the need and side effects of the drug.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Magazine
