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What Causes Muscle Weakness And Bluish Discolouration Of Lips In An Elderly Person?
Question: My mother is 91 and had a little episode last night of weakness and she felt like she might pass out but didn't. It lasted about 30 mins, she seems fine now but to me she looks a little blue around her mouth above and below her lips. Is this something I should be concerned about?
Brief Answer:
Needs workup for proper assessment
Detailed Answer:
Welcome at HCM
I am Dr Saad Sultan and will be answering your query. I have gone through your query and being your physician I totally understand your health concerns.
Is she suffering from diabetes or hypertension? Is she taking any medicines? Any asthma or allergy?
Sudden onset of weakness in old age need to be investigated. It could be hypoglycemia, transient ischaemic attack ( minor stroke), postural hypotension, and cardiac event. She needs to be examined thoroughly so that exact cause can be identified.
If I am her attending physician I will get her BP reading, full blood count(FBC), ESR, blood sugar, kidney function tests and liver function tests along with. Chest x ray , ECG , echocardiography .
CT scan brain and carotid Doppler should be in plan after clinical examination of patient and results of above tests.
As far as blue discoloration around lips is concerned, it is peripheral cyanosis due to inadequate oxygenation. Is she having any chest problem like asthma? If yes, her treatment needs to be reviewed. Also if you have home oxygen available give her oxygen as advised by your physician.
Meanwhile stay calm and check her BP and glucose if you have facilities. Don't panic and she should be seen by physician at least once for proper assessment.
Hope it helps, Feel free to ask me if you have any questions.
Regards
Dr Saad Sultan
Needs workup for proper assessment
Detailed Answer:
Welcome at HCM
I am Dr Saad Sultan and will be answering your query. I have gone through your query and being your physician I totally understand your health concerns.
Is she suffering from diabetes or hypertension? Is she taking any medicines? Any asthma or allergy?
Sudden onset of weakness in old age need to be investigated. It could be hypoglycemia, transient ischaemic attack ( minor stroke), postural hypotension, and cardiac event. She needs to be examined thoroughly so that exact cause can be identified.
If I am her attending physician I will get her BP reading, full blood count(FBC), ESR, blood sugar, kidney function tests and liver function tests along with. Chest x ray , ECG , echocardiography .
CT scan brain and carotid Doppler should be in plan after clinical examination of patient and results of above tests.
As far as blue discoloration around lips is concerned, it is peripheral cyanosis due to inadequate oxygenation. Is she having any chest problem like asthma? If yes, her treatment needs to be reviewed. Also if you have home oxygen available give her oxygen as advised by your physician.
Meanwhile stay calm and check her BP and glucose if you have facilities. Don't panic and she should be seen by physician at least once for proper assessment.
Hope it helps, Feel free to ask me if you have any questions.
Regards
Dr Saad Sultan
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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