Question about Possible Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Chest and lungs
1

Hi all.  My girlfriend and I have just returned from the hospital over here in Thailand.  She was getting chest pains and having problems breathing a couple of days ago.

I wasn't there when the doctor diagnosed her, but the notes we got printed off said:  "prominent pulmonary trunk could be due to  pulmonary arterial hypertension.  Pease correlate with the clinical context."  

He told her she has to stop working in beauty (she owns a salon) or start wearing a mask that filters out the chemicals from the products that she uses on customers.

I have 2 questions:

1.  If she uses a mask, will she be able to carry on working in beauty?  A second opinion is appreciated.

2.  Is there a particular type of mask that she should wear?  Any product recommendations are welcome

Obviously her health is more important than anything so we will close the salon if need be....  

Thanks for any responses, in advance.

2

well, according to the doctor's report, she should be able to carry on working in beauty if she wears a mask, but as for what type, is there another salon where you can go to get advice? eg one where they are likely to take the necessary precautions against the chemicals etc. i wonder if she should think also about wearing some type of latex gloves also for some types of activities?

how is the ventilation in the salon also?

hope that you get things sorted.

3

Hey and thanks for your reply and for your good wishes.  I get the impression its a relatively rare condition...  shes had similar (maybe the same) problems all her life.

There are lots of salons around here but finding someone who has the same illness, to get advice from, will be tough.  The salon has air conditioning but that hasn't helped.  

4

oh, sorry - i misunderstood - i thought that the condition was caused by the chemicals.

there are masks that medical staff use, or that builders use to keep out the dust. could those work perhaps?

5

Ah, I didn't make myself clear.  It seems as though there is the underlying problem that is brought out by the chemicals.  

I think that is the sort of mask she is going to have to use - obviously something that doesn't make her look like Darth Vadar would be good .

6

Hello there,

Can I suggest you have a read of these two sites ... they are in regard to a condition called RADS - (Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome) it is usually bought about from exposure to chemicals / vapors etc. and  these sites offer different ways to help living with reactive airways and it offeres a support network.

http://breathingissues.weebly.com/

http://radsfoundation.weebly.com/

When you can't breathe .. nothing else matters.

I hope your girlfriend is doing better.

7

indeed ... darth vadar not a desirable look.....

the medical ones might be easier to work in than the dust masks for builders. otherwise, as you suggested earlier, a change of career?

good luck!