Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
How Can A Seizure Episode Followed By High Hear Rate And Urge To Urinate Be Explained When No Diagnosis Could Be Arrived At?
Question: sure - my husband - 81 yrs. ld - was taken to hospital last night - due to body spams - like his blood vessels were fluttering and he was light headed and cold and couldn't stop shaking - they referred to his condition as "seizing" - but once we got to hospital symptoms abated - he then felt urgent need to urinate several times - his heart rate was elevated so they gave IV fluid - all tests including brain scan - were negative - so no diagnosis. Today he feels like he was "beaten up" - still light headed and has pain in right ear. Any ideas???
YYYY@YYYY
YYYY@YYYY
Brief Answer:
Seizure in elderly
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for trusting us.
Sudden onset seizures in an 81-year-old can be due to several reasons like electrolyte imbalance, infections, stroke, mass occupying lesions in the brain, medications (like pain medications, antidepressants, antipsychotics, antihistamines, herbal remedies etc).
And in almost 50% cases, a seizure can occur without any underlying cause called cryptogenic seizures. However, it is very important to review the entire medication history. So, please provide the list of medications he is on.
I see that you mentioned he has undergone blood workup and brain imaging. Make sure that an MRI brain is done as MRI provides more detailed analysis than CT scan. Blood culture is also required to rule out any infection.
Sometimes, Transient ischemic attacks/TIA (caused by carotid stenosis) can present as seizures. Carotid artery Doppler scan can confirm/rule out TIA.
If all these work up has failed to identify an underlying cause, then cryptogenic seizures need o be considered. If he develops a second episode of seizure, Electroencephalogram (EEG) is required. Recurrent seizures will then require treatment with anti-epileptic medications.
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Seizure in elderly
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for trusting us.
Sudden onset seizures in an 81-year-old can be due to several reasons like electrolyte imbalance, infections, stroke, mass occupying lesions in the brain, medications (like pain medications, antidepressants, antipsychotics, antihistamines, herbal remedies etc).
And in almost 50% cases, a seizure can occur without any underlying cause called cryptogenic seizures. However, it is very important to review the entire medication history. So, please provide the list of medications he is on.
I see that you mentioned he has undergone blood workup and brain imaging. Make sure that an MRI brain is done as MRI provides more detailed analysis than CT scan. Blood culture is also required to rule out any infection.
Sometimes, Transient ischemic attacks/TIA (caused by carotid stenosis) can present as seizures. Carotid artery Doppler scan can confirm/rule out TIA.
If all these work up has failed to identify an underlying cause, then cryptogenic seizures need o be considered. If he develops a second episode of seizure, Electroencephalogram (EEG) is required. Recurrent seizures will then require treatment with anti-epileptic medications.
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
