By: Joe Graedon April 19, 2021 12 Comments
    How Bad Is Hypotension (Low Blood Pressure) for …

    Ask public health officials about HYPERtension and you will be told by the CDC that "Nearly half of adults in the United States (108 million, or 45%) have hypertension defined as a systolic blood pres…

    By: Terry Graedon May 3, 2018 2 Comments
    Will a Mediterranean Diet Fight Frailty?

    Is a Mediterranean diet the secret to longevity in Italy and Greece? We don’t actually know, but doctors are collecting evidence that a Mediterranean diet can help older Americans avoid frailty (Voe…

    By: Terry Graedon April 5, 2018 22 Comments
    Show 1116: What You Can Do About Dizziness

    About 15 percent of American adults have problems with their balance. Even children are not exempt, with about 5 percent suffering from dizziness. What causes dizziness, and what can be done about it?…

    By: Terry Graedon November 9, 2017 1 Comments
    Do You Know How Your Medicine Affects Your Drivi…

    Are you taking medicines that might make you a dangerous driver? Most people now realize that driving and drinking do not mix. Alcohol impairs judgment and slows reaction times. It’s illegal to driv…

    By: Terry Graedon September 1, 2017 2 Comments
    Can You Avoid Falls by Cutting Excess Medicines?

    Do you know how many of the medications you take you really need? Far too often, prescriptions pile up. Unless patients are paying close attention, they can end up with excess medicines without realiz…

    By: Joe Graedon October 3, 2016 28 Comments
    Drugs Can’t Cure Vertigo (BPPV) Caused by …

    Anyone who has ever suffered from a bout of vertigo knows how debilitating it can be. Several years ago I rolled over in bed and the world started spinning. When I tried to get up from the side of the…

    By: Joe Graedon June 9, 2016 13 Comments
    Side Effects, Interactions and Problems with Pro…

    A lot of men who never contemplated problems peeing are now taking drugs to help them urinate: tamsulosin (Flomax, Jalyn), alfuzosin (Uroxatral), silodosin (Rapaflo), doxazosin (Cardura) and terazosin…

    By: Terry Graedon July 7, 2014 4 Comments
    Older Americans Are in the Dark about Drugs That…

    Q. My mom is on Detrol for a bladder problem and I fear that it is causing mental confusion. She is also on two blood pressure drugs (losartan and amlodipine) that make her dizzy. Last week she fell a…

    By: Terry Graedon May 5, 2014 21 Comments
    Aggressive Blood Pressure Treatment Can Cause De…

    Hypertension is frequently referred to as the silent killer. That's because it has few symptoms but greatly increases the likelihood of strokes, heart attacks and kidney damage. Does It Make Sense to …

    By: Terry Graedon March 24, 2014 4 Comments
    Multiple Blood Pressure Pills Add Up to Dangerou…

    Q. I take amlodipine, lisinopril and metoprolol for high blood pressure. My readings are 115/56. I get terribly dizzy, especially when I first stand up. My doctor says low blood pressure is not danger…

    By: Terry Graedon February 26, 2014 5 Comments
    Aggressive Blood Pressure Treatment Leads to Fal…

    Older people treated aggressively for hypertension may be at higher risk for injuries from falling. Investigators tracked roughly 5,000 Medicare beneficiaries for three years. These senior citizens ha…

    By: Terry Graedon November 18, 2013 3 Comments
    Are Uncle’s Medications Contributing to hi…

    Q. My uncle lives alone and is about to turn 86. He is part of a generation that goes to the doctor regularly and takes whatever is prescribed without question. He has been dizzy lately and has had a …

    By: Terry Graedon April 21, 2013 16 Comments
    Don’t Dismiss Drugs That Cause Dizziness

    Some reactions to medications seem so inconsequential that doctors rarely mention them. Dizziness is just such a side effect. What do you know about drugs that cause dizziness? Blood Pressure Drugs Th…

    By: Joe Graedon February 14, 2013 25 Comments
    Dizziness is Driving Her Towards Suicide

    Q. I am in excellent health, but most of the day I lie on my bed praying for death. Why? I am dizzy all day long. My brain feels like it's sloshing in a bucket of water and every move sends waves of d…

    By: Terry Graedon September 20, 2012 93 Comments
    Furosemide (Lasix) Side Effects & Generic T…

    Furosemide is a diuretic that is one of the most prescribed drugs in the world. At last count over 7 million Americans swallow this water pill every day to lower their blood pressure or help their kid…

    By: Terry Graedon April 23, 2012 6 Comments
    Dealing with Dizziness Is Difficult

    Doing cartwheels, riding rollercoasters or spinning until they're dizzy makes children scream with delight. For older people, though, dizziness is a disaster. When adults feel dizzy, they frequently b…

    By: Terry Graedon April 25, 2011 196 Comments
    Getting Off Zoloft Is Challenging

    Antidepressants can be lifesavers, but ultimately many people find that they would like to stop taking the medication. This can be more difficult than it seems. Is Zoloft Addictive? Q. I was told that…