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Suggest Treatment For Lethargy In An Elderly Person

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Posted on Wed, 3 Jun 2015
Question: I am a 72 year old man, I have never had an illness or a doctor for over 50 years.
I find over the past the two months that I am loosing my drive, I am lethargic and cant be bothered, and thats not me.
I do not get a lot of exercise as I work from home on the computer.
I dont drink alcohol, but I do smoke role up cigaretts, living alone I do not have the best diet one could have, I am more of a picker, little but often, but I eat well and often.
I would appreciate your diagnosis on what I could/should do to address this situation.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (8 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
vitamins/improve diet/exercise/see doctor

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is great that you have been so healthy for so long. There are many things that could be causing your current symptoms. I can give you some things to do at home but it would be very good for you to see a GP for a general physical exam and some blood tests.
Some causes for your symptoms could be anemia, thyroid disorder, depression, kidney, lung or heart disorder.
Things for you to do at home would be to stop smoking and increase your exercise. Make sure you are drinking at least 2 liters of water a day and avoid or drink very little caffeine. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and avoid prepared or processed foods. Add a daily vitamin and fish oil table to your regimen.
You can try these things, but if the symptoms you are having are from a more serious medical problem they you may really need to see a GP.
I encourage you to make an appointment with your doctor and be seen as well as making these changes in your habits.
I hope you are feeling better soon,
Regards,
Dr. Robinson

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Kathy Robinson

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1989

Answered : 3535 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Lethargy In An Elderly Person

Brief Answer: vitamins/improve diet/exercise/see doctor Detailed Answer: Hello, It is great that you have been so healthy for so long. There are many things that could be causing your current symptoms. I can give you some things to do at home but it would be very good for you to see a GP for a general physical exam and some blood tests. Some causes for your symptoms could be anemia, thyroid disorder, depression, kidney, lung or heart disorder. Things for you to do at home would be to stop smoking and increase your exercise. Make sure you are drinking at least 2 liters of water a day and avoid or drink very little caffeine. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and avoid prepared or processed foods. Add a daily vitamin and fish oil table to your regimen. You can try these things, but if the symptoms you are having are from a more serious medical problem they you may really need to see a GP. I encourage you to make an appointment with your doctor and be seen as well as making these changes in your habits. I hope you are feeling better soon, Regards, Dr. Robinson