Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
My 86 Yr. Old Elderly Father Has Always Been Very
Question: My 86 yr. old elderly father has always been very active and about 6 months ago had his blood pressure medicine changed and it had a bad effect on his balance and leg strength. It has since been changed to something else and his dizziness has gone away but his leg strength has not improved. In the past month he has started to use a cane. The leg weakness seems to be intermittent because 10% of the time he suddenly doesn't seem need his cane & seems to be fine. But most of the time he walks with short choppy shuffles and fatigues very quickly becoming very unsteady & would definitely fall if someone was not holding on to him. His situation seems to be getting worse everyday. He does have diabetes/high blood pressure but both are under control. I understand his age but for someone who until recently has always been active without any issues, this decline seems very sudden. Any ideas or suggestions as his Dr. told him that "You know you are getting older." Thank you for your time.
Brief Answer:
should consider some bloods and imaging
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic
There are some medications that can affect balance and energy levels but these effects would normally stop when the medication in discontinued.
With aging, a gradual decline is expected, not sudden changes in function.
If he was relatively active 6 months ago, not requiring any assistance to ambulate then investigations would be warranted.
Balance is controlled by certain nerves in our feet, our eyes, inner ear and a part of the brain.
Blood tests such as: (1) vitamin b12 levels ( vitamin b12 deficiency can cause neurological issues such as loss of balance and weakness since it affects nerve function)
(2)ESR (this is an inflammatory marker in the body- doesn't say exactly what is wrong but it lets doctors know that further investigations are needed if it is high)
(3)electrolyte levels
Imaging such as CT to make that there were no subtle changes in the brain , that caused the change in his function
It may be best to let him see a neurologist who may be able to assess him better and thouroughly
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
should consider some bloods and imaging
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic
There are some medications that can affect balance and energy levels but these effects would normally stop when the medication in discontinued.
With aging, a gradual decline is expected, not sudden changes in function.
If he was relatively active 6 months ago, not requiring any assistance to ambulate then investigations would be warranted.
Balance is controlled by certain nerves in our feet, our eyes, inner ear and a part of the brain.
Blood tests such as: (1) vitamin b12 levels ( vitamin b12 deficiency can cause neurological issues such as loss of balance and weakness since it affects nerve function)
(2)ESR (this is an inflammatory marker in the body- doesn't say exactly what is wrong but it lets doctors know that further investigations are needed if it is high)
(3)electrolyte levels
Imaging such as CT to make that there were no subtle changes in the brain , that caused the change in his function
It may be best to let him see a neurologist who may be able to assess him better and thouroughly
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
