Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Severe Fatigue In An Elderly Person?
Question: Hello, I am a XXXXXXX 83 in excellent health. My recent blood test all come back normal. After doing yard work or house work I am so exhausted and can hardly breath. However, I do recuperate the next day. I eat well, proteins, fruit and veg. This extreme exhaustion is upsetting given my excellent health. I have researched sleep apnea since I have asthma, and I know not enough oxygen results in tiredness. I seem to sleep well, but must take frequent naps. Any suggestions?
Thank you
Thank you
Brief Answer:
investigation is required
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
there are various disorders that don't show up on common blood tests and require special testing to document them. I'll mention some basic causes that have to be confirmed or excluded.
- heart failure: an ultrasound scan of the heart is enough to document it (echo). It causes shortness of breath particularly on exertion but it may also cause swollen ankles (not always though).
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) : this is diagnosed clinically. Spirometry helps to classify according to severity. Wheezing is common among patients.
- Anemia: a complete blood count is enough to document it. I suppose your hematocrit should be ok, right?
- thyroid disease (mostly hypothyroidism) : it requires a high TSH (blood test) for the diagnosis. It causes fatigue, shortness of breath, slowed thinking, intolerance to cold, sleepiness, etc.
- bad fitness: this is not a disease... it reflects the usual amount of workload that your body can cope with. The age is a critical factor for most individuals.
- infections: checking your temperature twice daily (morning-evening) for at least 2-3 days is important.
Sleep apnea that you've mentioned is another one. There are more of course but it would take pages to mention them all, so my list contains the most common ones to start with.
I hope it helps!
Kind Regards!
investigation is required
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
there are various disorders that don't show up on common blood tests and require special testing to document them. I'll mention some basic causes that have to be confirmed or excluded.
- heart failure: an ultrasound scan of the heart is enough to document it (echo). It causes shortness of breath particularly on exertion but it may also cause swollen ankles (not always though).
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) : this is diagnosed clinically. Spirometry helps to classify according to severity. Wheezing is common among patients.
- Anemia: a complete blood count is enough to document it. I suppose your hematocrit should be ok, right?
- thyroid disease (mostly hypothyroidism) : it requires a high TSH (blood test) for the diagnosis. It causes fatigue, shortness of breath, slowed thinking, intolerance to cold, sleepiness, etc.
- bad fitness: this is not a disease... it reflects the usual amount of workload that your body can cope with. The age is a critical factor for most individuals.
- infections: checking your temperature twice daily (morning-evening) for at least 2-3 days is important.
Sleep apnea that you've mentioned is another one. There are more of course but it would take pages to mention them all, so my list contains the most common ones to start with.
I hope it helps!
Kind Regards!
Note: Get a consultation booked to know more about aging related medical issues. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
