I love to get feedback on the columns I write. Last Wednesday, as Teddy tracked across the region, I wrote a column titled, "Tylenol for Teddy"; a quick look at how changes in air pressure can make you sick. The next day, I received this very interesting letter from Mrs. Brown:
“Good morning, Cindy.
I am 77 and live in Bridgewater. I have heart problems but consider myself healthy. I walk at least two miles on the treadmill inside if the weather is rotten outside. I am not overweight and I'm careful about what I eat.
This past Sunday morning I woke up to dizziness and pain in the top of my head, radiating down the nape of my neck. Some hours later, as it was getting worse, my husband drove me over to South Shore Regional Hospital Emergency Dept. Because of my deplorable history of heart problems, they saw me right away. Several tests were done, to no avail. I was unable to lay flat and carried a vomit bag with me through the day.
About dinner time, I was given sedatives and then, after much trial and error, was given a CatScan, which drew a blank (not surprised....lol). After being there about five hours, I was released but the most curious aspect was when Dr. McNally informed me I was the fourth person to have come to Emerg complaining of severe dizziness in four days.
Monday was no different and my family doctor, Dr. Riding, called to say he thought it was more sinus related, and I was to expect it to go away in a few days, echoing what Dr. McNally had said. Tuesday didn't make it worse but it didn't seem any better either. Late Tuesday night it seemed to abate somewhat and this morning, Wednesday, it's all but gone....except, I was told there was another person in Emerg Tuesday afternoon also complaining of dizziness.
In all my 77 years, I've never experienced Barometric Pressure pain before this episode but on reading your column this morning, I have to agree with you and the doctors about the cause. I keep a diary and will note this phenomenon for future reference.
Thank you for your many contributions to science learning. I read your column every morning.
Beverlee Armstrong Brown.”
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Cindy Day is the chief meteorologist for SaltWire Network
