Sleep apnea, phenylephrine and BP
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Dec 29 2009
Q: My blood pressure meds seem to control my blood pressure along with my BiPAP machine. To enable me to use the machine I must take phenylephrine for nasal congestion but it carries a warning for users with high BP. What can I do?
A: I will assume you are on BiPaP, a breathing device, for the treatment of sleep apnea. If you are overweight, lose weight. Both sleep apnea and high blood pressure are helped by weight reduction. At this point, you need to use your BiPap machine. Since your blood pressure is in control, your doctor has adjusted your medications appropriately to compensate for the use of the phenylephrine.
Tags: bipap machine, Blood Pressure & Hypertension, blood pressure meds, bp, breathing device, high blood pressure, lose weight, medications, nasal congestion, phenylephrine, Sleep & Sleep Apnea, Sleep & Sleep Apnea, Taking BP Meds, weight reductionLack of health insurance and treating hypertension
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Sep 30 2009
Q: My blood has been running high for about 20 years and still the clinic I am going to is trying medicine after medicine. I do not believe in popping pills every time you turn around. I know I need to lose weight and I am doing something about it. I do not have health insurance and I feel like I would be getting better treatment if I did. What can I do?
A: I support healthcare reform. I feel it is very important for people like you to have access to basic health care services and preventive care. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to continue to lose weight and exercise regularly.
Tags: basic health care, Diet & Exercise, exercise, health care services, health insurance, healthcare reform, hypertension, lose weight, Misc, popping pills, preventive care
