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What Causes Forgetfulness In An Elderly Person After Treating Pneumonia?
Question: Hi, my 92-yr old mother-in-law has been healthy all her life, active, lucid and quick-thinking. She recently got pneumonia after ignoring a chest infection for too long and was hospitalised for two weeks. She is now out, and it's now six weeks since she was in hospital. My sister-in-law has noticed that her mother is somewhat forgetful since being ill and is starting to worry. I am wondering if it could be due to recovery from pneumonia or a vitamin deficiency, but before I say anything I was wondering if you have any ideas. It would be a shame to be thinking about putting her in a home for safer care if all it would require is some supplements. She is generally herself, moving about, able to have interesting conversations, but a bit more anxious and short term memory periodically inefficient. She is not living at home at the moment. Many thanks for any ideas. XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
It could be because of aging process.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking here.
It is good that at this age she is having very sound health.But since at this age brain cells may have fast aging process which in turn may cause in imbalance of brain hormones and brain cells degeneration.Due to this process the person tends to have these symptoms. For that antioxidants and Nootropil (a GABA derivative) and multivitamin supplement can be used to increase the cognitive health of brain.
To clear the doubt about post pneumonia complication ,I would like to suggest that get blood electrolytes,serum osmolality and urine osmolality done to rule out Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH).Since this is a syndrome of low sodium level ,which actually occurs due to unknown reason as a complication of pneumonia particularly at this age and indirectly may affect brain tissue.
Hopefully my answer will be helpfull for you,please let me know ,if I need to clarify more.
Best regards,
Dr.Maheshwari
It could be because of aging process.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking here.
It is good that at this age she is having very sound health.But since at this age brain cells may have fast aging process which in turn may cause in imbalance of brain hormones and brain cells degeneration.Due to this process the person tends to have these symptoms. For that antioxidants and Nootropil (a GABA derivative) and multivitamin supplement can be used to increase the cognitive health of brain.
To clear the doubt about post pneumonia complication ,I would like to suggest that get blood electrolytes,serum osmolality and urine osmolality done to rule out Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH).Since this is a syndrome of low sodium level ,which actually occurs due to unknown reason as a complication of pneumonia particularly at this age and indirectly may affect brain tissue.
Hopefully my answer will be helpfull for you,please let me know ,if I need to clarify more.
Best regards,
Dr.Maheshwari
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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