DEAR DR. GOTT:
My 36-year-old daughter weighs about 110 pounds. She’s been feeling lightheaded and has had tingling sensations in her arms and hands for the past year. She’s been to a heart doctor, had MRIs and blood work done, but continues to feel bad. What do you think her problem could be? Do you know of any other tests that should be done?
DEAR READER:
There are many diseases that can cause the very symptoms your daughter is experiencing. If she is a smoker or consumes aspartame, she should stop at once. She may be experiencing the effects of work-related anxieties, outstanding bills, children, a sick relative, and other stressors. Therefore, in order to touch all the bases, I suggest she be evaluated by a mental health expert to identify if any anxiety or stress disorder is the culprit.
Fortunately, she appears thus far to have had appropriate normal studies and consultations. I assume her testing found that her thyroid is normal, there are no signs of cancer, and she is not anemic. If not, more testing should be ordered by her physician. If the doctor has run out of options, she should be referred to an appropriate specialist. In the interim, offer moral support and help her get to the root of the problem.
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