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What Do Unsteady Gait And Loss Of Sense Of Smell In An Elderly Person Indicate?
Question: My mom, 90 years old, has suddenly begun to shuffle her feet, wobble, bend forward when walking, lose her smell and write a small shaky cursive. She says she can't print anymore. Is this general aging in a healthy woman or early parkinson's?
Brief Answer:
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Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is hard to say without doing a neurological exam and knowing what her baseline function was. But some of these symptoms are suggestive of Parkinson's disease or other neurological problem including a small stroke. As these symptoms came on suddenly, I definitely would take her in to be seen and not chalk it up to the gradual aging process.
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Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is hard to say without doing a neurological exam and knowing what her baseline function was. But some of these symptoms are suggestive of Parkinson's disease or other neurological problem including a small stroke. As these symptoms came on suddenly, I definitely would take her in to be seen and not chalk it up to the gradual aging process.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for the advice. Although she has had a hard time with stairs and getting up from a chair without arms for at least 5 years, she is still active. She lives alone, drives in the daytime, shops, cooks, attends meetings and lunches with friends several times a week. She does crosswords and sudoko daily, plays free cell, emails and texts.
She has been going to PT twice a week for a year and a half to strengthen her leg and arm muscles, so the quick changes were even more surprising.
She has been going to PT twice a week for a year and a half to strengthen her leg and arm muscles, so the quick changes were even more surprising.
Brief Answer:
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Detailed Answer:
Loosing quad strength as we age is not unusual, but given how active her life is, I would definitely have her seen. If these changes just happened today, then the ER would be the place to be seen as a prompt evaluation is needed if she had a small stroke. If it has been ongoing for days or weeks, then she should see her doctor, and possibly a neurologist.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Loosing quad strength as we age is not unusual, but given how active her life is, I would definitely have her seen. If these changes just happened today, then the ER would be the place to be seen as a prompt evaluation is needed if she had a small stroke. If it has been ongoing for days or weeks, then she should see her doctor, and possibly a neurologist.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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