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What Causes Sudden Episodes Of Falling Down?
Question: my sister has many icidents of falling down, not being able to stop herself. many tests show no reason. however prior ito these incidents. she yawns continually, what could cause thisproblem?
Brief Answer:
Can you please give some more details?
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,welcome to Healthcare Magic forum.
I am Dr Aslam here to help you.
From what you have given,it is difficult to suggest a diagnosis.
One probability is CATAPLEXY (A component of a condition called NARCOLEPSY),where patients experience sudden episodes of muscle weakness and falling down without loss of consciousness.These episodes are frequently precipitated by emotions.
This condition is diagnosed by "polysomnography",in patients with excessive daytime sleepiness,and can be treated by stimulants like modafenil/methyl phenidate.You can seek the help of a psychiatrist for this.
Meanwhile,I can guide you better if you give me the following details.
1)Does she really have atrial fibrillation(this itself can sometimes cause sudden falling)?
2)Are these episodes are precipitated by sudden emotions?
3)Is she feeling sleepy all the day?
4)Was there any family history of such problem?
Take care,Thank you.
Can you please give some more details?
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,welcome to Healthcare Magic forum.
I am Dr Aslam here to help you.
From what you have given,it is difficult to suggest a diagnosis.
One probability is CATAPLEXY (A component of a condition called NARCOLEPSY),where patients experience sudden episodes of muscle weakness and falling down without loss of consciousness.These episodes are frequently precipitated by emotions.
This condition is diagnosed by "polysomnography",in patients with excessive daytime sleepiness,and can be treated by stimulants like modafenil/methyl phenidate.You can seek the help of a psychiatrist for this.
Meanwhile,I can guide you better if you give me the following details.
1)Does she really have atrial fibrillation(this itself can sometimes cause sudden falling)?
2)Are these episodes are precipitated by sudden emotions?
3)Is she feeling sleepy all the day?
4)Was there any family history of such problem?
Take care,Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
yes,my sister has atrial fib and she is sleepy a lot during the day. her falling down does not seem to have any emotional reasons at all. no family history of this. thank you
Brief Answer:
So need cardiac evaluation too.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
So we need to rule out cardiac rhythm disturbance as a cause.
If initial cardiac evaluation is normal,may need an ambulatory ECG monitoring,to get the rhythm during an attack.
If that is also normal,as I told,NARCOLEPSY is a probability(though the history is not typical of this).And,as you had already a detailed evaluation by a physician,a psychiatrist may be able to offer some help in this regard.
Hope I have answered your query.
If you have no further questions,you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Wishing healthy days ahead.Thank you.
So need cardiac evaluation too.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
So we need to rule out cardiac rhythm disturbance as a cause.
If initial cardiac evaluation is normal,may need an ambulatory ECG monitoring,to get the rhythm during an attack.
If that is also normal,as I told,NARCOLEPSY is a probability(though the history is not typical of this).And,as you had already a detailed evaluation by a physician,a psychiatrist may be able to offer some help in this regard.
Hope I have answered your query.
If you have no further questions,you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Wishing healthy days ahead.Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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