What Causes Behavioral Changes While Suffering From Ascending Aortic Aneurysm?

Posted on Tue, 15 Sep 2015

Question: My husband is a 66 year old with an ascending aortic aneurysm and a leaking aortic pig valve that is about 5 years old. He is becoming more and more unable to make the simplest decision and cannot handle changes in schedule. He is retired and is home alone. He has had a long list of other, smaller health issues in the last 6 months including: torn Achilles tendon, virus in the eye and a sinus infection. He has also begun to drink early in the day (10:00 a.m.!). I was wondering if these changes in behavior might indicate some medical condition going on?

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I would need some info from you.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome to Health Care Magic.

I am Dr.Muhammad Ahmad, I have read your question in detail, I understand your concern and will try to help you in the best possible way.

A person in this age with many morbidities going on can well have behavioral changea which might be due to age factor or deteriorating health or psychological changes. There are a few things I would like to clarify before giving you any final opinion.
I will here by ask you some relevant questions to fill up the information.

1) Has he really changed much recently?
2) Any new psych meds started these days?
3) Any mental stress recetnly regarding personal life or finances or anything?
4) Does he sleep well?
5) Any episodes of sudden anger or sudden depression lately?
6) Was he oerfectly fine a year back (regarding behaviour )

Waiting for your input

Regards.

Dr.Muhammad Ahmad.

M.B.B.S ( Licensed Family practitioner)

Resident M.D.

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

Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (15 hours later)

1) The behavior changes have come about in the last few months.
2) No new psych meds.
3) Yes, he has mental stress both personal and financial.
4) He has never slept well in his adult life.
5) Yes, he tends to be angry especially when he is drinking.
6) A year ago he did not have the difficulty of processing changes, or difficulty making decisions, nor did he drink during the day. He did have sleep problems and drinking problems, but within different boundaries.

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (30 hours later)

Brief Answer:
He needs medical assistance

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing back woth very comprehensive and detailed responces. Most of your repsonces were in affirmative it just confirmed that I was thinking in right direction and yes you too were right in saying thay your husband seems to be having some new condition.
This condition does not seem to be related to his other problems like aneurysm etc but yes this seems to be developing as a psychological condition

Reason can be any thing his stresses, drinking, age etc but it seems it is multifactorial... many conditions are having a cumulative effect causing this problem.

He does need two things to be done.
1) Neurological evaluation.
2) Psychiatric consult.

I would suggest you to get his neurological evaluation done the neurologist will determine if he has any problem in brain or it is just a psychiatric issue.

Then in next step you can consult a psychiatrist , the psychiatrist can determine whwta problem it is and what medicine are needed to be given or if he only needs to follow some counselling sessions.

But for that you will have to make him realize that there is something wrong only then he will cooperate in seekimg medical attention.

I hope this help you to understand whats happening and what can be done about that. If you have more queries feel free to ask.

Regards.

Dr.Muhammad Ahmad

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

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