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What Causes Weakness In Legs And Fatigue In An Elderly Woman?
Question: My mother 87, is complaining of feeling weak in her legs no pain just weak
she states feels very very tired and wants to sleep. She is a diabetic but sugar level was normal has very slight light headedness otherwise normal blood pressure within normal should I be looking for something else she states feels good overall except her weakness and very tired
she states feels very very tired and wants to sleep. She is a diabetic but sugar level was normal has very slight light headedness otherwise normal blood pressure within normal should I be looking for something else she states feels good overall except her weakness and very tired
Brief Answer:
there are some potential causes
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
there are too many causes for her symtoms (her symptoms are not specific) but I'll mention some of the most common ones:
- an infection: old people may have infections even with low grade fever. Checking her body temperature may help.
- anemia: has she done any tests recently. Does she take any drugs that may lower her hematocrit like aspirin for example? Is she pale?
- electrolyte disorders: they are common in patients taking diuretics but even too much sweating may cause electrolyte disorders.
- low blood pressure: it can be caused by dehydration (not enough water in the body) or the effect of antihypertensive (or other) drugs.
- thyroid disease: fatigue invades gradually but does not get better unless treated with thyroxine.
- not enough rest: sleep-apnea syndrome can be suspected in patients feeling sleepy right after coming out of the bed or obese smokers who snore.
Other causes may apply to her but I've mentioned some of the causes worth considering.
I hope it helps!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
there are some potential causes
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
there are too many causes for her symtoms (her symptoms are not specific) but I'll mention some of the most common ones:
- an infection: old people may have infections even with low grade fever. Checking her body temperature may help.
- anemia: has she done any tests recently. Does she take any drugs that may lower her hematocrit like aspirin for example? Is she pale?
- electrolyte disorders: they are common in patients taking diuretics but even too much sweating may cause electrolyte disorders.
- low blood pressure: it can be caused by dehydration (not enough water in the body) or the effect of antihypertensive (or other) drugs.
- thyroid disease: fatigue invades gradually but does not get better unless treated with thyroxine.
- not enough rest: sleep-apnea syndrome can be suspected in patients feeling sleepy right after coming out of the bed or obese smokers who snore.
Other causes may apply to her but I've mentioned some of the causes worth considering.
I hope it helps!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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