What is malignant hypertension?

My dad is hypertensive for many years but last week our doctor told us he has entered a stage called Malignant Hypertension. Please shed more light for me? Bala B: Malignant hypertension is extremely high blood pressure that develops rapidly and causes some type of organ damage. “Normal” blood pressure is below 140/90. A person […]

My dad is hypertensive for many years but last week our doctor told us he has entered a stage called Malignant Hypertension. Please shed more light for me?
Bala B:
Malignant hypertension is extremely high blood pressure that develops rapidly and causes some type of organ damage. “Normal” blood pressure is below 140/90. A person with malignant hypertension has a blood pressure that’s typically above 180/120. Malignant hypertension should be treated as a medical emergency.
What Causes Malignant Hypertension?
In many people, high blood pressure is the main cause of malignant hypertension. Missing doses of blood pressure medication can also cause it. In addition, there are certain medical conditions that can cause it. They include:
1.    Kidney disease
2.    Spinal cord injuries
3.    Tumor of the adrenal gland
4.    Use of certain medications
5.    Use of illegal drugs, such as  cocaine
What Are the Symptoms of Malignant Hypertension?
The main symptoms of malignant hypertension are a rapidly increasing blood pressure of 180/120 or higher and signs of organ damage. Usually, the damage happens to the kidneys or the eyes. Other symptoms depend on how the rise in blood pressure affects organs. A common symptom is bleeding and swelling in the tiny blood vessels in the retina.
Other symptoms of Malignant Hypertension include:
1.    Blurred vision
2.    Chest pain
3.    Difficulty breathing
4.    Dizziness
5.    Numbness in the arms, legs, and face
6.    Severe headache
7.    Shortness of breath
How Is Malignant Hypertension Diagnosed?
A diagnosis of malignant hypertension is based on blood pressure readings and signs of acute organ damage.
How Is Malignant Hypertension Treated?
Malignant hypertension is a medical emergency and needs to be treated in a hospital, often in an intensive care unit. The goal of treatment is to carefully lower the blood pressure within a possible short time.

Failure of my Ovaries
I couldn’t conceive for over the 7 years that Iam married. I went abroad for checkup and Iam told that I am suffering from premature ovarian failure. Please shed some light on this?
Becky U
 Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) is defined as the cessation of ovarian function prior to the age of 40 years   It is diagnosed in women under age 40 when ovarian function ceases, resulting in an end or pause in menstruation, a decline in the production of Estrogen  ( hormone ) and eggs, resulting in infertility.  
Women may experience Infertility, hot flashes, the absence of menses, night sweats, irritability, moodiness, sleep disturbance, decreased libido, hair coarseness, and vaginal dryness. POF also manifests as intermittent ovarian failure, where the woman may miss her menstrual periods several consecutive months, and then have her menstrual period return spontaneously.
Early indications of premature ovarian failure include menstrual cycles less than 21 days in length, very infrequent or light menstrual periods, and the absence or cessation of menstruation.
Some causes of premature ovarian failure
In the majority of cases, the cause is idiopathic (unknown), Genetic, Environmental, and Autoimmune etiologies have been associated with POF. It is estimated that up to 40% of POF can be attributed to genetic causes, as the disorder has a tendency to be familial. Known environmental causes include pelvic surgery, cancer therapy such as chemotherapy and radiation, and viral oophoritis, (viral inflammation of the ovary) all which affect ovarian function and could contribute to POF. Autoimmunity has also been known to play a role, with the most common cause thought to be Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.
How is POF treated?:
There are a variety of hormone replacement regimens available that can be used along with different routes of administration based on patient preference and the response to therapy.  These formulations contain Estrogen, Progesterone, and sometimes Androgens in varied doses. . About 5-10% of POF patients become pregnant after the diagnosis, many times after initiating hormone replacement therapy.