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Suggest Remedy For Weight Loss In An Elderly Person

Posted on Wed, 8 Jul 2015

Question: This is in reference to a 80 year old man who has lost like 10 pounds of weight over last 3 years. His clinical report with blood work and bp and urine repotrs are all stable. I have looked into internet and it says that as one gets old , he naturally looses weight even without any medical condition. Is this true?
i asked his doctor but he does not want to do anything to increase weight at this age and just walk.
But the patient is lazy and dont do any exercise, hardly little 15 mins walk.
I asked his cardiologist. he said its good to put him on a cardiac exercise bike machine line a sitting bike in the gym so he can exercise 20 mins a day.
Will this help him to stabilize his weight?
Any thing to do. He takes like 10 antiobiotics for his bp, heart, urology etc. So doctor said it cud be side effetcs of antibiotics plus old age that he loosing weight.

Please advice.
Thanks
XXXX
New York, USA

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Should walk and exercise

Detailed Answer:
Welcome to Healthcaremagic.
Hi, I am Dr Anshul Varshney , I have read your query in detail , I understand your concern.
Yes, this is true that with growing age, the appetite reduces and, along with that weight reduces.However, we should always do work up to find out the other causes of weight loss at this age particularly any malignancy.
I suppose, your doctor's must have found all the reports absolutely fine including his Hemoglobin and Stool examination.
If everything is normal, then his appetite loss can be because of issues pertaining to old age, that can be depression, dementia.
This doesn't require any treatment, as they are age related issues.
However, since he is has various other medical issues for which he is taking 10 medications as you have mentioned, i need to know the list to determine the side effect.
As far as exercise is concerned, make him go for walk, that he would enjoy. Don't force him for gym based exercises.
This is my personal opinion based on details available here. If you still have any other query, you may please ask me.
Stay Healthy.
Dr Anshul Varshney , MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (9 hours later)

Thanks Sir. Here is a list of medications . These are prescribed in USA. Not sure what names they call it in XXXXXXX Please let me know Sir.
1.Lipitor
2. Lisinopril
3.Metoprolol
4. Norvasc
5. Imdur (he use to take this in India)
6. Aspirin
7.Plavix
8.Flomax
9.Proscar
10. Centrum

Also, Sir, with due respected, i also agree walking is the best exercise, but in New York Sir, the cold weather is almost 9 months now so he cannot go outside. So i was thinking Sir, if i can buy him a stationary back so he can watch tv and paddle for like 20 mins a day.
Please advise. Thanks again,
XXXX
New York, USA

Sorry, spelling mistake: Bike (the sitting one use in gyms)

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes he can paddle cycle.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
None of these medicines are going to cause weight loss.
But since he is taking medicines for prostate I suppose he should be once evaluated for prostate malignancy. Get his Ultrasound Abdomen and Serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels.
Yes he can do cycling at static machine if hr has no knee related issues.
Anyhow he should exercise for 20 minutes a day.
I hope it helps.
If you have any further query, please ask me.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar