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Hi, The Question Is For My Mom. She Is 72.
Question: Hi, The question is for my mom. She is 72. She complained about leg pain a few days before, and said it was like the one she had when she had a disc problem on her back. She took ibuprofen 600 mg on and off. It seemed under control when she took the medicine, but she complained it upset her stomach. We noticed she walked and moved very slowly. Even a few days before she complained about pain, I saw her suddenly freeze in a spot, not knowing what to do or how to move. My father wrote to me today saying that she could not tell which hand was left and which hand was right. Her memory had suddenly gotten worse. Wonder if this is something more serious than disc problem?
Brief Answer:
She needs evaluation if symptoms persist...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I would like to know if the symptoms appeared abruptly without warning signs or if she has had memory impairment like the one now. If this was the first such episode, she needs a brain scan to rule out cerebrovascular disturbances.
It is common to find cognitive impairment at this age. But as I mentioned earlier whether or not it is serious can be determined after evaluation. A neurological evaluation is necessary to understand the severity of impairment and whether or not it needs medical attention. And definitely I wouldn't ignore the current condition.
Hope this helped. Let me know if you need any specific information.
Regards
She needs evaluation if symptoms persist...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I would like to know if the symptoms appeared abruptly without warning signs or if she has had memory impairment like the one now. If this was the first such episode, she needs a brain scan to rule out cerebrovascular disturbances.
It is common to find cognitive impairment at this age. But as I mentioned earlier whether or not it is serious can be determined after evaluation. A neurological evaluation is necessary to understand the severity of impairment and whether or not it needs medical attention. And definitely I wouldn't ignore the current condition.
Hope this helped. Let me know if you need any specific information.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Dr. XXXXXXX
This memory loss seemed to appear just now as reported by my father, not an ongoing one. Could the pain from the disc/leg cause all these confusion, mental state deterioration? If yes, I would be less worried. I talked to my mom. She did not mention that she had all other symptoms besides pain in the leg.
This memory loss seemed to appear just now as reported by my father, not an ongoing one. Could the pain from the disc/leg cause all these confusion, mental state deterioration? If yes, I would be less worried. I talked to my mom. She did not mention that she had all other symptoms besides pain in the leg.
Brief Answer:
No, the pain is not directly related to her confusion...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
It is unlikely. The disc and leg pain would not be the direct cause of her memory and confusion state. I would be more concerned about central neurological disturbance. If she has recovered from confusion state, cerebrovascular disorder like a minor stroke is more likely. But if the problem is persisting, the along with cerebrovascular condition, metabolic and electrolyte disturbance should also be considered.
In all probabilities, I insist she visits a doctor. A brain MRI scan along with battery of blood tests is necessary.
Hope I am clear. If not, feel free to ask me your questions.
Regards
No, the pain is not directly related to her confusion...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
It is unlikely. The disc and leg pain would not be the direct cause of her memory and confusion state. I would be more concerned about central neurological disturbance. If she has recovered from confusion state, cerebrovascular disorder like a minor stroke is more likely. But if the problem is persisting, the along with cerebrovascular condition, metabolic and electrolyte disturbance should also be considered.
In all probabilities, I insist she visits a doctor. A brain MRI scan along with battery of blood tests is necessary.
Hope I am clear. If not, feel free to ask me your questions.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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