High blood pressure with slow pulse is one of those puzzling situations that I’ve come across quite a few times in my years managing hypertension as an internal medicine physician. Usually, when we think of high blood pressure—also known as hypertension—we imagine a fast or pounding heartbeat, right? But sometimes, patients show up with elevated…
If you’ve ever felt that strange combination of blood pressure and chest tightness symptoms, you’re not alone—and as an internal medicine physician who manages hypertension day in and day out, I can tell you this: it’s something we shouldn’t ignore. I’ve had countless patients walk into my office brushing off mild pressure in their chest,…
As someone who’s spent years helping patients manage their respiratory conditions, one thing I’ve consistently seen make a big difference is learning how to journal asthma symptoms. I know—it might sound like just another task to add to your already busy life, but trust me on this one. Keeping a symptom journal isn’t just for…
If you’ve ever sat with a patient post-endoscopy or chatted with someone nervously holding their fourth antacid of the day, you’ll know this: GERD is no joke. I’ve worked with countless patients in our gastroenterology clinic who came in utterly baffled by their symptoms. And one of the most surprising culprits that often comes up?…
If you’re like me, working as a Medical Assistant in a busy gastroenterology clinic, you’ve likely heard the question, “Can GERD cause chest pain?” more times than you can count. It’s a very common concern that patients bring up, and for good reason. When you experience chest pain, it can be an incredibly frightening sensation….
As a Pulmonary Nurse, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with individuals who live with asthma, a chronic condition that affects the airways and makes breathing difficult. One of the common questions I often get asked by patients and their families is whether cold drinks can trigger asthma symptoms. It’s an intriguing topic, as…
As someone who’s worked as a Medical Assistant in a Gastroenterology Clinic for years, I’ve seen firsthand how many patients struggle with acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). While there are several well-known triggers for this condition, one that often goes under the radar is sugar. If you’ve ever wondered, “Can sugar…
As a Pulmonary Nurse, I’ve seen firsthand how something as seemingly harmless as perfume can trigger asthma symptoms in patients. It’s always baffling to hear someone tell me that their asthma flares up after they encounter a fragrance, whether it’s from a bottle of cologne, scented lotion, or even a flower arrangement. As I dig…
When you think about GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), you probably picture heartburn, indigestion, or that uncomfortable burning sensation in your chest. But did you know that GERD can also cause symptoms that affect other parts of the body, including your ears? It’s a bit surprising, but ear pressure is one of the less-discussed but very…