I am 75 years old and am suffering from HTN & diabetes. My blood sugar is under control without medicine -- fasting 102 mg PP 135 mg. Blood pressure systolic from 100-170 any time of the day. I have been advised a no-sodium diet. My prescription includes Dilzem 90 mg sr BD, Sorbitrate 10 md tid, Coversyl 2 mg. Please advise. M N Satvekar

Dr Anoop Misra, Director & Head of Dept Diabetes and Metabolism, Fortis Group of

Hospitals, says:

Your sugar control is excellent, but blood pressure seems to be fluctuating a lot.

You need to monitor the blood pressure more frequently, and your physician should adjust the medication accordingly. Please note that blood pressure needs to be measured in supine and standing position both, to note any sudden drop of pressure often seen at your age.

I am a diabetic aged 72. I am taking Glycomet 780 twice a day and one Daonil per day. Also, I take Restyl 0.25 mg twice a day for spondalytis and sleep problems. I would like to know if this combination may adversely affect my blood sugar level. Vincent Paul Dorai

Dr Anoop Misra says:

Glycomet and Daonil lower blood sugar. They have complementary methods of action and should be suitable for you.

But at your age, blood sugar monitoring should be done frequently to see if the sugar level is not dropping more than necessary, a condition known as hypoglycemia. Any sudden fall in blood sugar level at your age could be dangerous. Restyl does not interact with your sugar pills, but may interact with alcohol consumption.

editor@expressindia.com