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Suggest Remedies For Respiratory Problems In An Elderly Woman
Question: My 80 year old wife has been hosptialized for 5 weeks with respiratory problems. She is currently on a trach, nasal feeding tube, and breathing machine about half the time. Weaning is being attempted. She is overweight, diabetic.
She is having delirium, or ICU psychosis, according to the Drs and various web sites. I suspect the problem is not as well recognized as I read on the internet. A common cause mentioned in the pages I see is disorientation from daily cycles, lots of attendants, and perhaps sleep disruption from taking blood pressure and sugar, although I have not witnessed this since I am not there at night.
I really don't know what to ask. It's disturbing to see this apparent suffering, with no plan for relief other that 'get well', it will go away.
Any comments?
YYYY@YYYY
She is having delirium, or ICU psychosis, according to the Drs and various web sites. I suspect the problem is not as well recognized as I read on the internet. A common cause mentioned in the pages I see is disorientation from daily cycles, lots of attendants, and perhaps sleep disruption from taking blood pressure and sugar, although I have not witnessed this since I am not there at night.
I really don't know what to ask. It's disturbing to see this apparent suffering, with no plan for relief other that 'get well', it will go away.
Any comments?
YYYY@YYYY
Brief Answer:
There won't be any ICU Psychosis when she is shifted to General Ward
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HealthCareMagic.com I am Dr.Bruno Mascarenhas, and I am here to answer your queries. I have read your question with care and understand that your 80 year old wife has been hosptialized for 5 weeks with respiratory problems. She is currently on a trach, nasal feeding tube, and breathing machine about half the time. Weaning is being attempted. She is overweight, diabetic.
I am sorry for the suffering. Delirium or ICU Psychosis is common in patients who are admitted in ICUs. You have mentioned that she is in breathing machine half the time. That means that she is able to breathe without machines for half the time. This is a good sign.
The current aim would be to
1. Keep Blood Sugar under control
2. Maintain Normal Electrolyte Balance
3. Treat Infections
4. Take her off Ventilator
5. Shift her to Ward
There won't be any ICU Psychosis when she is shifted to General Ward.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
If you need any clarification / have doubts / have additional questions / have follow up questions, then please do not hesitate in asking again. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Best Wishes for Speedy Recovery
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
There won't be any ICU Psychosis when she is shifted to General Ward
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HealthCareMagic.com I am Dr.Bruno Mascarenhas, and I am here to answer your queries. I have read your question with care and understand that your 80 year old wife has been hosptialized for 5 weeks with respiratory problems. She is currently on a trach, nasal feeding tube, and breathing machine about half the time. Weaning is being attempted. She is overweight, diabetic.
I am sorry for the suffering. Delirium or ICU Psychosis is common in patients who are admitted in ICUs. You have mentioned that she is in breathing machine half the time. That means that she is able to breathe without machines for half the time. This is a good sign.
The current aim would be to
1. Keep Blood Sugar under control
2. Maintain Normal Electrolyte Balance
3. Treat Infections
4. Take her off Ventilator
5. Shift her to Ward
There won't be any ICU Psychosis when she is shifted to General Ward.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
If you need any clarification / have doubts / have additional questions / have follow up questions, then please do not hesitate in asking again. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Best Wishes for Speedy Recovery
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thanks, Dr. Mascarenhas,
This hospital seems good about getting her out of ICU when indicated, into the less intensive location. I intend to spend the night there tonight to see if continual monitoring of glucose levels, etc., might intrude on what long-distance air travelers call circadian rhythm. And, to make sure the window shades are not drawn, same idea.
Thanks for the response.
Regards,
Tom Budlong
This hospital seems good about getting her out of ICU when indicated, into the less intensive location. I intend to spend the night there tonight to see if continual monitoring of glucose levels, etc., might intrude on what long-distance air travelers call circadian rhythm. And, to make sure the window shades are not drawn, same idea.
Thanks for the response.
Regards,
Tom Budlong
Brief Answer:
Let us hope that she comes out of ICU at the earliest
Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir,
Thanks for the update.
Let us hope that she comes out of ICU at the earliest
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
Let us hope that she comes out of ICU at the earliest
Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir,
Thanks for the update.
Let us hope that she comes out of ICU at the earliest
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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