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87 Years Old. Suffering From Persistent Headache And Nausea. On Medication. Any Advice?
Question: Hi, my mother, 87, is suffering from persistent headache and nausea for the past number of weeks. She says that she has never experienced anythink quite like this in a long and complicated medical history, including heart by-pass 18 years ago. She is on a lot of various medications for many years for heart condition - hypertension, I guess and in more recent years, in relation to what is described as arthritis in her shoulders, arms and hands. She uses low level painkillers - solpadeine and paracetemol, for pain on a daily basis. These recent symptoms are causing her considerable worry. She's been living independently and indeed doing limited driving until recently but is quite debilitated just now.
Hi there,
Thanks for writing in.
I am a qualified and certified cardiologist and I read your mail with diligence.
As for 17 years post bypass surgery she did not have this symptom it is unlikely to be related to original disease. One definite possibility emerges, she is prone to atherosclerosis she had coronary artery atherosclerotic disease two decades ago now she has atherosclerosis of ciculatory system of brain and symptom of nausea supports this that is vetebro basilar insufficiency (VBI). VBI is aggravated by what you have mentioned arthritis of cervical spine or cervical spondylosis can lead to such a situation. In any case, persistent use of even paracetamol is not free from side effects she needs to be investigated. The conditions which your doctor would like to exclude will be:
1. Cervical Spondylosis
2. Intracranial mass including subdural hematoma in view of her age
3. Tension Headaches due to ill fitting dentures, arthritis or visual impairment
5. Trigeminal Neuralgia
Migraine usually is not a cause in person above 80 year old.
She is doing wise thing by not driving till this problem is resolved.
I hope that answers your question. Good luck.
If you have any more query I will be most happy to answer it.
Regards
Dr Anil Grover,
Cardiologist & Internist
M.B.;B.S, M.D. (Internal Medicine) D.M(Cardiology)
http://www/ WWW.WWWW.WW
Thanks for writing in.
I am a qualified and certified cardiologist and I read your mail with diligence.
As for 17 years post bypass surgery she did not have this symptom it is unlikely to be related to original disease. One definite possibility emerges, she is prone to atherosclerosis she had coronary artery atherosclerotic disease two decades ago now she has atherosclerosis of ciculatory system of brain and symptom of nausea supports this that is vetebro basilar insufficiency (VBI). VBI is aggravated by what you have mentioned arthritis of cervical spine or cervical spondylosis can lead to such a situation. In any case, persistent use of even paracetamol is not free from side effects she needs to be investigated. The conditions which your doctor would like to exclude will be:
1. Cervical Spondylosis
2. Intracranial mass including subdural hematoma in view of her age
3. Tension Headaches due to ill fitting dentures, arthritis or visual impairment
5. Trigeminal Neuralgia
Migraine usually is not a cause in person above 80 year old.
She is doing wise thing by not driving till this problem is resolved.
I hope that answers your question. Good luck.
If you have any more query I will be most happy to answer it.
Regards
Dr Anil Grover,
Cardiologist & Internist
M.B.;B.S, M.D. (Internal Medicine) D.M(Cardiology)
http://www/ WWW.WWWW.WW
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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