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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Constipation In An Elderly Person
Question: My 72 year old husband has vomited twice today and cannot get warm. Last night he took a laxative for chronic constipation. He is quite weak but unwilling tolet me call his physician.
Brief Answer:
chills usually mean fever brewing, need to bring temp down
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The feeling of chills or being persistently cold and trembling is actually due to a fever even though he may feel cold.
The chills occur because his 'thermostat' in the brain is actually trying to reset the body's temperature. Trembling/chills cause increase body heat.
He needs to do the opposite- do not bundle up excessively. He also needs to take paracetamol/tylenol to help with the temp control, if he can use this medication.
He should take 1g (normally 2 tablets since come as 500mg).
The chills and vomiting may indicate that he has a infection, viral infection are most likely but may still need to rule out more serious causes.
He can use fluids to help replace those he would have lost from vomiting.
Small amounts can initially be given to make sure that they are tolerated. If tolerated , the amount can be increased.
Medication such as dramamine or peptobismol would help with the vomiting.
It would be best if he feels very unwell or there is no improvement in symptoms with the treatment mentioned that he does visit his doctor for assessment.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
chills usually mean fever brewing, need to bring temp down
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The feeling of chills or being persistently cold and trembling is actually due to a fever even though he may feel cold.
The chills occur because his 'thermostat' in the brain is actually trying to reset the body's temperature. Trembling/chills cause increase body heat.
He needs to do the opposite- do not bundle up excessively. He also needs to take paracetamol/tylenol to help with the temp control, if he can use this medication.
He should take 1g (normally 2 tablets since come as 500mg).
The chills and vomiting may indicate that he has a infection, viral infection are most likely but may still need to rule out more serious causes.
He can use fluids to help replace those he would have lost from vomiting.
Small amounts can initially be given to make sure that they are tolerated. If tolerated , the amount can be increased.
Medication such as dramamine or peptobismol would help with the vomiting.
It would be best if he feels very unwell or there is no improvement in symptoms with the treatment mentioned that he does visit his doctor for assessment.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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