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What Causes Elevated ESR And Low BMI With Sore Throat, Fatigue And Headache?
Question: Hello,
I'm a 29 yrs female from XXXXXXX
History
Last year I had low grade fever (99-99.5 F) which continued for about 7-8mths. I had seen a couple of MD physicians here and they advised a lot of tests incl., CBC, KFT, LFT, Urine exam, X-ray, ultrasound, TB, Thyroid, Bilirubin, Widal, CRP, ANA/ENA, Anti-CCP, RF, Protein electrophoresis. All the reports were normal except mild UTI for which I took medicines for 10 days and it subsided. But fever still persisted so atlast I got a CT-scan (thorax and abdomen) done to rule out if there's latent TB; which was also normal. I stopped all of that after CT and fever subsided sometime later while I switched to some homeopathic medicines.
Current Problem:
It's been sometime say around a couple of months, I have a feeling of being unwell, fatigue, sore throat, headache (on right side most of the times & it's pulsating), lower BP for past 1 week (100/65), ESR is persistently high since last year (around 40), breathlessness when I do some strenous work or move up the stairs or walk a lot. Recently I got to know that my eyesight has reduced and I need glasses (0.5/0.25). I wear glasses now but that pulsating headache stil persists. And I also feel so much strain on my eyes esp. muscles. The eye doctor had mentioned it's not mainly due to power but generalized weakness.
I lost my mum recently, she had breast cancer with bony mets.
My Query: Is it possible to have all these symptoms due to anemia? Or if it could be some other underlying condition which the doctors have not been able to catch up till now? I'm just a lil worried if it's something serious as our family has already gone through a lot and not currently in a position to face anything else.
I'm attaching all my reports herewith for your kind reference.
Awaiting your response!!
I'm a 29 yrs female from XXXXXXX
History
Last year I had low grade fever (99-99.5 F) which continued for about 7-8mths. I had seen a couple of MD physicians here and they advised a lot of tests incl., CBC, KFT, LFT, Urine exam, X-ray, ultrasound, TB, Thyroid, Bilirubin, Widal, CRP, ANA/ENA, Anti-CCP, RF, Protein electrophoresis. All the reports were normal except mild UTI for which I took medicines for 10 days and it subsided. But fever still persisted so atlast I got a CT-scan (thorax and abdomen) done to rule out if there's latent TB; which was also normal. I stopped all of that after CT and fever subsided sometime later while I switched to some homeopathic medicines.
Current Problem:
It's been sometime say around a couple of months, I have a feeling of being unwell, fatigue, sore throat, headache (on right side most of the times & it's pulsating), lower BP for past 1 week (100/65), ESR is persistently high since last year (around 40), breathlessness when I do some strenous work or move up the stairs or walk a lot. Recently I got to know that my eyesight has reduced and I need glasses (0.5/0.25). I wear glasses now but that pulsating headache stil persists. And I also feel so much strain on my eyes esp. muscles. The eye doctor had mentioned it's not mainly due to power but generalized weakness.
I lost my mum recently, she had breast cancer with bony mets.
My Query: Is it possible to have all these symptoms due to anemia? Or if it could be some other underlying condition which the doctors have not been able to catch up till now? I'm just a lil worried if it's something serious as our family has already gone through a lot and not currently in a position to face anything else.
I'm attaching all my reports herewith for your kind reference.
Awaiting your response!!
Brief Answer:
Anemia and reduced food intake could be cause
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare-Magic
Greetings of the day
Namasthe
Dear Ms XXXXXXX
Sorry to hear about sad demise of mother.
First and foremost let me reassure you, there is no cause for concern. Things can be taken care off.
1. Isolated elevation of ESR is not significant in the absence of any other laboratory abnormality. Anemia also causes elevation in ESR level. Your anemia is very mild and can be taken care off.
2. BMI: I had a look at your body mass index which is just 19. Ideally for your age and sex it should be 21-23. This low BMI along with anemia explains most of your symptoms. Reduced intake of nutritious food, lack of exercise , stress, family problems could be the cause for it.
Is your food intake good?
Is your appetite normal?
Do you induce vomiting or do you experience vomiting?
3. I would not be worried about your BP of 100/65 if you have no symptoms of hypotension. Low blood pressure if it is recent origin will cause symptoms like giddiness while standing from supine or sitting position, blurring of vision after standing. Do you have these symptoms?
Decreased blood pressure could be due to
a. Decreased fluid and salt intake
b. Lack of sleep
Consuming plenty of oral fluids and 2 cups of coffee per day will make you feel better
I would suggest the following plan for you
1. Nutritious food: 5 divided small meals a day-- Include 2 servings of citrus fruits , vegetable salad. Consume 2 glasses of water one hour before and one hour after food. This will ensure adequate intake of fluids and as well as not affect nutrition
2. Brisk walking: 30 minutes each session twice a day
3. Hematinics and multivitamin supplement
4. Practise yoga and meditation
5. Good sleep: uninterrupted 6-8 hours of sleep
6. Syrup Aristozyme 5 ml thrice a day 15 minutes before meals will improve your appetite.
Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad t assist you.
Take Care
Best Regards
Dr Deepak Kishore
MBBS,MS,MCH
Anemia and reduced food intake could be cause
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare-Magic
Greetings of the day
Namasthe
Dear Ms XXXXXXX
Sorry to hear about sad demise of mother.
First and foremost let me reassure you, there is no cause for concern. Things can be taken care off.
1. Isolated elevation of ESR is not significant in the absence of any other laboratory abnormality. Anemia also causes elevation in ESR level. Your anemia is very mild and can be taken care off.
2. BMI: I had a look at your body mass index which is just 19. Ideally for your age and sex it should be 21-23. This low BMI along with anemia explains most of your symptoms. Reduced intake of nutritious food, lack of exercise , stress, family problems could be the cause for it.
Is your food intake good?
Is your appetite normal?
Do you induce vomiting or do you experience vomiting?
3. I would not be worried about your BP of 100/65 if you have no symptoms of hypotension. Low blood pressure if it is recent origin will cause symptoms like giddiness while standing from supine or sitting position, blurring of vision after standing. Do you have these symptoms?
Decreased blood pressure could be due to
a. Decreased fluid and salt intake
b. Lack of sleep
Consuming plenty of oral fluids and 2 cups of coffee per day will make you feel better
I would suggest the following plan for you
1. Nutritious food: 5 divided small meals a day-- Include 2 servings of citrus fruits , vegetable salad. Consume 2 glasses of water one hour before and one hour after food. This will ensure adequate intake of fluids and as well as not affect nutrition
2. Brisk walking: 30 minutes each session twice a day
3. Hematinics and multivitamin supplement
4. Practise yoga and meditation
5. Good sleep: uninterrupted 6-8 hours of sleep
6. Syrup Aristozyme 5 ml thrice a day 15 minutes before meals will improve your appetite.
Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad t assist you.
Take Care
Best Regards
Dr Deepak Kishore
MBBS,MS,MCH
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr. XXXXXXX
Thanks a lot for your review of the query & prompt response!!! It's been a great relief!!
Your Query:
2. BMI: I had a look at your body mass index which is just 19. Ideally for your age and sex it should be 21-23. This low BMI along with anemia explains most of your symptoms. Reduced intake of nutritious food, lack of exercise , stress, family problems could be the cause for it.
Is your food intake good?
Is your appetite normal?
Do you induce vomiting or do you experience vomiting?
Response:
I take normal meals - all 3 times (breakfast, lunch & dinner) and it is normal in quantity. I've also started taking higher amount of fruits in between, sometimes coconut water also.
Appetite is normal.
No nausea/vomiting.
Regarding BP, I do have all the symptoms you've mentioned: giddiness while standing from supine or sitting position, blurring of vision after standing. (sleep is normal - around 8 hrs)
I had spinning head issue for sometime in between and was really frustrated because it was continuous..throughout the day! It has somehow subsided. After my mum's incidence, I've been too scared and thought if I also have something serious going on....esp. looking at the list of symptoms I have. Thanks to you!!
Best Regards,
XXXXXX
Thanks a lot for your review of the query & prompt response!!! It's been a great relief!!
Your Query:
2. BMI: I had a look at your body mass index which is just 19. Ideally for your age and sex it should be 21-23. This low BMI along with anemia explains most of your symptoms. Reduced intake of nutritious food, lack of exercise , stress, family problems could be the cause for it.
Is your food intake good?
Is your appetite normal?
Do you induce vomiting or do you experience vomiting?
Response:
I take normal meals - all 3 times (breakfast, lunch & dinner) and it is normal in quantity. I've also started taking higher amount of fruits in between, sometimes coconut water also.
Appetite is normal.
No nausea/vomiting.
Regarding BP, I do have all the symptoms you've mentioned: giddiness while standing from supine or sitting position, blurring of vision after standing. (sleep is normal - around 8 hrs)
I had spinning head issue for sometime in between and was really frustrated because it was continuous..throughout the day! It has somehow subsided. After my mum's incidence, I've been too scared and thought if I also have something serious going on....esp. looking at the list of symptoms I have. Thanks to you!!
Best Regards,
XXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Take care
Detailed Answer:
Namasthe
Dear Ms XXXXXXX
Let me first once again reassure you, presence of multiple symptoms does not always mean the problem is severe or there is serious issue.
Multiple symptoms are likely to be due to associated stress associated with it.
Following are the analysis of your symptoms
1. Anemia
2. Postural hypotension
3. Stress and anxiety
Stress and anxiety are important cause of major of your symptoms including eye strain. You can practise eye muscle exercise for the same: when you are looking at near object for quite a long time , focus your eyes at distant object for 2 minutes. Kook to left, look to right , look up and look down. Close your eyes and massage it with fingers using circular movement. Place a slice of cucumber on it for 5 minutes.
2. Brisk walking; Walking releases substance in the brain known as Endorphin which are naturally occurring analgesic in body. It will elevate the mood.
3. Start Hematinics and Multivitamin
4. Medidation
5. Make friends and mingle with your relatives.
6. Consume plenty of oral fluids and 2 cups of coffee . It will take care of hypotension
You can always keep in touch with me.
You have to overcome the grief of your mom demise.
Take care
Best Regards
Dr Deepak
Take care
Detailed Answer:
Namasthe
Dear Ms XXXXXXX
Let me first once again reassure you, presence of multiple symptoms does not always mean the problem is severe or there is serious issue.
Multiple symptoms are likely to be due to associated stress associated with it.
Following are the analysis of your symptoms
1. Anemia
2. Postural hypotension
3. Stress and anxiety
Stress and anxiety are important cause of major of your symptoms including eye strain. You can practise eye muscle exercise for the same: when you are looking at near object for quite a long time , focus your eyes at distant object for 2 minutes. Kook to left, look to right , look up and look down. Close your eyes and massage it with fingers using circular movement. Place a slice of cucumber on it for 5 minutes.
2. Brisk walking; Walking releases substance in the brain known as Endorphin which are naturally occurring analgesic in body. It will elevate the mood.
3. Start Hematinics and Multivitamin
4. Medidation
5. Make friends and mingle with your relatives.
6. Consume plenty of oral fluids and 2 cups of coffee . It will take care of hypotension
You can always keep in touch with me.
You have to overcome the grief of your mom demise.
Take care
Best Regards
Dr Deepak
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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