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What Causes Severe Body Chills In An Extremely Thin Elder Woman?
Question: I'm asking about my mother, she refuses to see a doctor herself, so I'm don't have other options. About her: she's 51 hrs old, has vegan diet with low fat and low protein diet. She weighs about 90-95 lbs and it 5 ft 1st tall and has sedentary lifestyle. She incredibly thin and has issues eating spicy food, or eating too much and other. She has undiagnosed mental issues, and doesn't leave her house. A few years ago, she has developed following symptoms: she gets really really cold feet suddenly, feet get cold and numb with stiffness and cramping, sometimes her whole body gets cold and stiff too . This causes difficulty with digestion, gallbladder pain and cramps and overall chills, constipation with hard rock stool. She treats it with Tylenol and warm blankets. Episodes last several days, followed by weakness and fatigue for days. Also, since her sedentary lifestyle includes lots of reading, knitting, writting, her eyes have a visible inflammation on the white part and one of the eye has frequent pain.
Her main problem is the chills and severely cold feet. Do you have any ideas for what it might be?
Her main problem is the chills and severely cold feet. Do you have any ideas for what it might be?
Brief Answer:
Malnutrition and hypothyroidism possibly
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:
1. It seems she is malnourished, due to her selective diet. This has reduced her basal metabolic rate, causing chills, weakness and reduced circulation causing cold feet.
2. Hypothyroidism can also be seen with similar symptoms including cramps, constipation, chills, etc. It can also affect mental health and early issues can be managed with correction of hypothyroidism.
3. Red eyes is possibly due to reduced or irregular sleeping hours and also excessive strain on eye's
Need to improve nutrition and hydration. Protein rich diet with more fiber content is necessary. It will improve nutrition and immunity.
For acidity, she can take proton pump inhibitors like pantoprazole or esmoprazole. She needs to eat regularly.
Mild exercises like walking will be helpful. It stimulates the digestive system increasing intake and food absorption.
Avoid working in dim lights and need to sleep regular hours of 8-9 at night.
Lastly, get thyroid hormone levels and hemogram done. If abnormal, needs correction immediately.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM
Malnutrition and hypothyroidism possibly
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:
1. It seems she is malnourished, due to her selective diet. This has reduced her basal metabolic rate, causing chills, weakness and reduced circulation causing cold feet.
2. Hypothyroidism can also be seen with similar symptoms including cramps, constipation, chills, etc. It can also affect mental health and early issues can be managed with correction of hypothyroidism.
3. Red eyes is possibly due to reduced or irregular sleeping hours and also excessive strain on eye's
Need to improve nutrition and hydration. Protein rich diet with more fiber content is necessary. It will improve nutrition and immunity.
For acidity, she can take proton pump inhibitors like pantoprazole or esmoprazole. She needs to eat regularly.
Mild exercises like walking will be helpful. It stimulates the digestive system increasing intake and food absorption.
Avoid working in dim lights and need to sleep regular hours of 8-9 at night.
Lastly, get thyroid hormone levels and hemogram done. If abnormal, needs correction immediately.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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