Brief Answer:
It is loss of control of neurons over the muscle movements and tone!!!

Detailed Answer:
I welcome you here at HCM and happy to assist you for your dad's genuine health concerns. I have carefully gone through the case details and can well establish the seriousness of the issues going on there with your Dad.

It actually is due to senile changes and he has got loss of neural tone on the muscles of his limbs. Under normal circumstances in a healthy person, the neurons have a constant nourishment signals and a resting muscular tone keeping control on the body muscles.

It is less likely to be a stroke as this is generalized muscular weakness. This is neurologic defect and sometimes it is added with the bone diseases like Osteoporosis that makes things difficult. It aggravates the weakness and mobility is reduced.

Now he needs a thorough evaluation by a Neurologist for proper management. He will need to check his vitamin levels like Vit. D, B12 and if needed can be supplemented for. Also, he may add neuronal-nourishing multivitamins and minerals like zinc, potassium and sodium and other micronutrients. He may also add some neuronal nourishment medications to improve the muscle conditions.

The way our body utilizes energy is controlled by thyroid and it is mandatory to rule that out too. Thyroid function tests are needed to be done from a lab by his Primary care Physician. Low levels of thyroid hormones causes the undue and sudden weakness in body and fatigue. Ask his Neurologist to rule out Guillain barre syndrome and Myasthenia gravis that are the two important causes of the weakness and finally paralysis in limbs. He will also need to go for nerve and muscle conduction studies on your dad.

Taking caffeinated drinks and alcohol in excess also may cause nerve and muscle issues. It is needed to be dealt with care.
Diabetes and high blood pressure also causes the leg muscles weak. We need to control these diseases too.

Hope it helps. Please feel free to ask for any kind of help if needed. My direct link is: tinyurl.com/drhanifmd
You can upload his aforementioned labs when ready if you need a review and my opinion on them.

Regards!

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Brief Answer:
We can prevent further spread to some extent by controlling diabetes!!!

Detailed Answer:
Welcome with this follow up query.

I have reviewed your query. MND usually affects all the voluntary skeletal muscles so is distributed as a widespread disease. I am more concerned about his diabetes mellitus that in the long run may cause Diabetic Neuropathy, if remains uncontrolled. It affects mostly the limbs and lower limb is its favorite prey to attack on.

You asked about the reversal of this neuropathy. Unfortunately not---we can't reverse the damaged nerve endings in peripheral nerves. In diabetic patients we usually recommend ACE-Inhibitors that have a protective role in diabetic neuropathy and kidney damage caused by longstanding high blood glucose levels.
We can delay the ill-effects of diabetes, or we can save a patient from further damages by controlling the disease.


Hope it helps. Please feel free to contact me anytime if you need further assistance. My direct link is: tinyurl.com/drhanifmd

Regards!
Dr. Hanif'

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