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What Causes Tiredness, Chills, Lack Of Energy And Excessive Sleepiness While Treating Anemia?
Question: Hello,
I havw a question about my uncle- i will try to provide as much information as possible bit some will be missing.
He is 77 with a hostory of heart problems- he has a titanium stint and something with his valves. He has has 2/3 heart surgeries. Woth in 3 weeks he has had a coloscopy, endoscopy, blood work with showed anemia and something with his blood(whixh his doctor is regualting) he is on blood thinners. He is always full of energy butcthid last 3 weeks he has changed completly. He is tired and winded from a simple short walk- napping throigh out tje day and simply exhausted. Adter a short walk- 5 houses down and back he has to come home and sleep eith a rag on his head. The cardiologist will see him the 24th but i worred with waitig so ling and trying see some options with little back history i can provide. Hes also cold when its warm.
I havw a question about my uncle- i will try to provide as much information as possible bit some will be missing.
He is 77 with a hostory of heart problems- he has a titanium stint and something with his valves. He has has 2/3 heart surgeries. Woth in 3 weeks he has had a coloscopy, endoscopy, blood work with showed anemia and something with his blood(whixh his doctor is regualting) he is on blood thinners. He is always full of energy butcthid last 3 weeks he has changed completly. He is tired and winded from a simple short walk- napping throigh out tje day and simply exhausted. Adter a short walk- 5 houses down and back he has to come home and sleep eith a rag on his head. The cardiologist will see him the 24th but i worred with waitig so ling and trying see some options with little back history i can provide. Hes also cold when its warm.
Brief Answer:
It's probably an heart failure
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have seen the attached image. This is most probably an heart failure which leads to accumulation of fluid in the lungs and shortness of breath. This can occur due to low hemoglobin, low heart function due to prior heart illness, low hemoglobin itself can cause shortness of breath without heart failure or can aggravate heart failure.
Investigations. He should do Serum iron studies to confirm if its due to low iron, stool for occult blood to look blood loss, colonoscopy he already underwent, if it's normal then upper GI endoscopy to look source of bleeding from stomach. Also, echo to look for heart function.
In the treatment, one is correction of hemoglobin for which he'll need iron supplements like tab Orofer XT two to three times a day depending upon iron report, and drugs called as diuretics or water pills like tab lasix 40 Twice a day or torsemide 20 which will remove excess water from lungs. He'll get relieved of shortness of breath with these medicines. so he should get these prescribed from local doctor.
He should try to restrict as much fluid like water, tea, coffee juices etc as possible. Hope this helps you and get back if you have any more doubts.
It's probably an heart failure
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have seen the attached image. This is most probably an heart failure which leads to accumulation of fluid in the lungs and shortness of breath. This can occur due to low hemoglobin, low heart function due to prior heart illness, low hemoglobin itself can cause shortness of breath without heart failure or can aggravate heart failure.
Investigations. He should do Serum iron studies to confirm if its due to low iron, stool for occult blood to look blood loss, colonoscopy he already underwent, if it's normal then upper GI endoscopy to look source of bleeding from stomach. Also, echo to look for heart function.
In the treatment, one is correction of hemoglobin for which he'll need iron supplements like tab Orofer XT two to three times a day depending upon iron report, and drugs called as diuretics or water pills like tab lasix 40 Twice a day or torsemide 20 which will remove excess water from lungs. He'll get relieved of shortness of breath with these medicines. so he should get these prescribed from local doctor.
He should try to restrict as much fluid like water, tea, coffee juices etc as possible. Hope this helps you and get back if you have any more doubts.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
He did a stool sample- coloscopy- upper gi- no source of blood - lungs were clear- heart failure is extremly scary- should i get him to the er lr have him resf til the 24th loke his cardiologist
I will chat with him this morning so see what additional information i can get. I appreciate your feedback and help
I will chat with him this morning so see what additional information i can get. I appreciate your feedback and help
Brief Answer:
See the description
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It's good that lungs are clear and scopies were normal. We need Atleast 3 samples of stool negative to surely rule out git as a source of bleeding. We need to look for the other causes of anemia, like serum iron studies, vit B and folic acid levels.
How much is the hemoglobin? Any old echoes available? Or any other investigations available, which will help me in reaching in diagnosis.
Visiting ER depends on his symptoms, if he can be managed with present symptoms then it can wait. Although heart failure sounds scary but it's not a dire emergency and also we are not sure about diagnosis as well as we don't have echo. Also, if hemoglobin is very low say 8 or 9 gm then itself can cause this shortness of breath and heart failure becomes less likely.
Brief Answer:
Thank you
Detailed Answer:
Thank you
Regards and all the best
See the description
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It's good that lungs are clear and scopies were normal. We need Atleast 3 samples of stool negative to surely rule out git as a source of bleeding. We need to look for the other causes of anemia, like serum iron studies, vit B and folic acid levels.
How much is the hemoglobin? Any old echoes available? Or any other investigations available, which will help me in reaching in diagnosis.
Visiting ER depends on his symptoms, if he can be managed with present symptoms then it can wait. Although heart failure sounds scary but it's not a dire emergency and also we are not sure about diagnosis as well as we don't have echo. Also, if hemoglobin is very low say 8 or 9 gm then itself can cause this shortness of breath and heart failure becomes less likely.
Brief Answer:
Thank you
Detailed Answer:
Thank you
Regards and all the best
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
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