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What Causes Sudden Drop In Muscular Strength In An Elderly Person?

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Posted on Thu, 3 Nov 2016
Question: Please don't
cot me off ['m very slow ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST ALL STREANGTH IN MY ENTIRE BODY . MY LEGS WOULD NOT HOLD ME UP..... I COULD NOT PUSH MY CHEST OFF OF THE FLOOR....USING ALL MY STRENGTH THAT I HAD . I'M AN ACTIVE 66 YEAR OLD MAN THAT JUST FINISHED BUILDING A FULL BATHROOM IN MY DAUGHTERS BSSEMENT PLEASE TELL ME WHATS GOING ON....
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ishu Bishnoi (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Cause of sudden inactivity

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, thanks for asking from HCM.


I can understand your concern. Your symptoms are suggestive of acute episode. As you are a patient of "PTSD", it could be either organic or psychological. The condition can be ruled out after examining you and few tests.

: Transient ischemic attack - At this age, it is common to have sudden decrease in blood supply to brain and it leads to-
sudden fall, inactivity, loss of consciousness, sudden weakness.
The condition is reversible in few minutes.

: Vertigo and loss of tone - It could have been occurred due to low blood pressure, dehydration. It will lead to sudden fall and decrease in strength

: Hypoglycemia - If you are a known diabetic or you had not eaten properly before doing hard work, it could have been an episode of hypoglycaemia.

It can be severe at times leading to unconsciousness, vomiting, seizures.

: Cardiac cause - If you have known cardiac condition or known smoker and alcoholic, cardiac disease like angina/arrythemia might have caused this.

: If everything comes normal, it might be due to Post traumatic stress disorder manifestation. It can be suspected more if you had some stress and continuously thinking about it for long.

To confirm your diagnosis, please get yourself examined from physician/ your nearest ER.

They will take
: BP
: Pulse
: examine nervous system
They will advise few investigations like
: ECG and ECHO of heart if doubt regarding cardiac cause
: Ultraosund doppler neck along with CT-scan of head to rule out TIA
: Blood sugar level

Final treatment can be given only after confirmation. Till then, do not engage in to hard work. Take rest and seek medical attention without any further delay.

If you have any doubt, do let me know.
Thanks. Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ishu Bishnoi (10 hours later)
I checked my BP at the time and it was normal.















I'm making an appointment with my DR today. Thanks for your time and answers. Between the bathroom building and repairs needed at home and other projects coming up I guess I sure can't rule stress as a cause.... PTSD into considered as well
Thanks again
XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
XXXX









[
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ishu Bishnoi (20 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Thanks for the appreciation

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, thanks for the appreciation.

Please show yourself to doctor. After consulting him, discuss all the details what I have mentioned. If there is any doubt, please tell me. I will help you.

Thanks. take care. Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ishu Bishnoi (24 hours later)
The system closed in the middle of my follow up question... I'll try and make it short

I HAVE HAD TWO OPERATIONS ON MY NECK AND ONE ON MY LOWER BACK FOR PINCHED NEARVS .... I HAVE DISINAGRATING VERTIBRAY SO ANOTHER ONE DOES NOT XXXXXXX ME...
BUT IS THERE ONE NIRVE THAT CONTROLS THAT MANY MUSELS ...?
WHAT WOULD YOU THINK THE ODDS COULD BE THAT I HAVE ANOTHER ONE?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ishu Bishnoi (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Cervical disc can cause syncope feature

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, welcome back.

I got your point. The prolapsed disc or vertebral body disease in neck region or cervical region can cause syncope like symptoms, vertigo and sudden weakness in all limbs.

So if you ask me what region can cause such symptom? It will be spinal cord compression in cervical region (C1 to T2).

Hope you got my point. If still in doubt, do let me know.
Thanks. take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ishu Bishnoi

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 901 Questions

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What Causes Sudden Drop In Muscular Strength In An Elderly Person?

Brief Answer: Cause of sudden inactivity Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX, thanks for asking from HCM. I can understand your concern. Your symptoms are suggestive of acute episode. As you are a patient of "PTSD", it could be either organic or psychological. The condition can be ruled out after examining you and few tests. : Transient ischemic attack - At this age, it is common to have sudden decrease in blood supply to brain and it leads to- sudden fall, inactivity, loss of consciousness, sudden weakness. The condition is reversible in few minutes. : Vertigo and loss of tone - It could have been occurred due to low blood pressure, dehydration. It will lead to sudden fall and decrease in strength : Hypoglycemia - If you are a known diabetic or you had not eaten properly before doing hard work, it could have been an episode of hypoglycaemia. It can be severe at times leading to unconsciousness, vomiting, seizures. : Cardiac cause - If you have known cardiac condition or known smoker and alcoholic, cardiac disease like angina/arrythemia might have caused this. : If everything comes normal, it might be due to Post traumatic stress disorder manifestation. It can be suspected more if you had some stress and continuously thinking about it for long. To confirm your diagnosis, please get yourself examined from physician/ your nearest ER. They will take : BP : Pulse : examine nervous system They will advise few investigations like : ECG and ECHO of heart if doubt regarding cardiac cause : Ultraosund doppler neck along with CT-scan of head to rule out TIA : Blood sugar level Final treatment can be given only after confirmation. Till then, do not engage in to hard work. Take rest and seek medical attention without any further delay. If you have any doubt, do let me know. Thanks. Take care.