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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Low Appetite In Elders?

do you have experience in the field of elderly and their refusing to eat.
Elderly parent had a stroke 9 years ago and a more recent minor one, and a bout of bilateral pneumonia which was treated successfully with antibiotics.

In the last 10 days though, he has been eating less and less and if he does put something in his mouth, he reacts as if it is the sourest lemon in the world. He is very happy to consume great quantities of sugary tea which is normal.. He will try to eat to please caregivers, but continues to react.

Doctors have thought he is having trouble swallowing, yet the tea presents no problem. Soup was totally rejected. He cannot speak but indicates open mouth with index finger, and blows as if blowing something hot, then points at side of jaw, just below left temporal. We've tried asking about pain, ulcers, tongue, teeth, throat, swallowing but he indicates clearly NO! We are wondering if the second stroke has affected his taste buds. He's lost 8 kilos in the last 14 days. Any suggestions.
Wed, 4 Feb 2015
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi,
He may need psycotherapy ,as psycological problem or depression can be a complication of post stroke condition .Also get MRI brain done to rule out any new infarcted (ischemic) area in the brain.
You may get consult with Psycologist and discuss further.
Regards,
Dr.Maheshwari
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What Causes Low Appetite In Elders?

Hi, He may need psycotherapy ,as psycological problem or depression can be a complication of post stroke condition .Also get MRI brain done to rule out any new infarcted (ischemic) area in the brain. You may get consult with Psycologist and discuss further. Regards, Dr.Maheshwari