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Suggest Remedy For Dehydration, Loss Of Appetite And Nausea In An Elderly Person
Question: Hello. My brother and I are caring for my elderly mom. She is 93. All of her vitals are good. Several months ago, she began to eat less. Eventually, her diet consisted of Ensure and yogurt. When we tried to get her to eat something more substantial in the evening, she would become nauseous. Often, she would throw up after a few bites. Composition of vomit seemed to be primarily a lot of brown bile. She ended up in the hospital due to mild dehydration. She had a series of tests (CAT scan, ultrasound) and nothing was found to be wrong, other than some reflux for which a drug was prescribed (something like Prilosec). She's back home now and continues to have symptoms: significant loss of appetite, throwing up occasionally at night only (brown color), nausea at night after trying to eat something. She seems ok in the morning, although her diet is limited to soft or liquid items (yogurt, Ensure). She's undergoing rehab as a consequence of her inactivity in the hospital. But she's not eating well. Primary care doctor suggests Megace as an option to increase appetite. I read there may be side effects. She needs to eat better to recover. Your thoughts on how to proceed? Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Upper endoscopy;parenteral nutrition to be considered....
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I have gone through the medical history carefully and understood your concerns.
Her symptoms, and considering her age, are suggestive for malignant pathologies. However, upper endoscopy is highly recommended for definite determination.
Megace contains the active ingredient Megestrol which is shown effective in increasing appetite in chronically ill patients.
If I was her caring doctor would determine the right cause through upper endoscopy first, then, try with Megace and other multivitamin supplementation.
Nutrients given parenterally (intravenously) should be also considered.
All the best!
Dr.Klerida
Upper endoscopy;parenteral nutrition to be considered....
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I have gone through the medical history carefully and understood your concerns.
Her symptoms, and considering her age, are suggestive for malignant pathologies. However, upper endoscopy is highly recommended for definite determination.
Megace contains the active ingredient Megestrol which is shown effective in increasing appetite in chronically ill patients.
If I was her caring doctor would determine the right cause through upper endoscopy first, then, try with Megace and other multivitamin supplementation.
Nutrients given parenterally (intravenously) should be also considered.
All the best!
Dr.Klerida
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Dr. Klerida -
Thank you for the reply. As I mentioned in my e-mail, my mom was recently admitted to the hospital and was discharged after 11 days. The hospital was aware of her symptoms. She had several CTs and ultrasounds. She also had frequent blood work taken. She and/or her test results were examined by a number of specialists, including a gastroenterologist. I'm not sure of the specific areas targeted by the tests, but I assume the doctors ruled out any sort of malignancy since there was no upper endoscopy conducted. (In any case, I will mention that test to her physician.) There is no history of any type of cancer in the family, and her reflux is a very recent development. Assuming there is no 'malignant pathology', what else might account for her symptoms (reflux, nausea/throwing up occasionally at night, loss of appetite) and what else do you recommend to address? Is Megace safe to take? Thank you.
Thank you for the reply. As I mentioned in my e-mail, my mom was recently admitted to the hospital and was discharged after 11 days. The hospital was aware of her symptoms. She had several CTs and ultrasounds. She also had frequent blood work taken. She and/or her test results were examined by a number of specialists, including a gastroenterologist. I'm not sure of the specific areas targeted by the tests, but I assume the doctors ruled out any sort of malignancy since there was no upper endoscopy conducted. (In any case, I will mention that test to her physician.) There is no history of any type of cancer in the family, and her reflux is a very recent development. Assuming there is no 'malignant pathology', what else might account for her symptoms (reflux, nausea/throwing up occasionally at night, loss of appetite) and what else do you recommend to address? Is Megace safe to take? Thank you.
Brief Answer:
If nothing organic found, AGE factor to be considered....
Detailed Answer:
Hi back my dear,
Ok, as I do lack the reports of the tests you mention, after reviewing her medical history, I was asking about the tests as above-mentioned. If you have any report, you can send to me for further evaluations. If nothing was found in examination and tests and taking into account her age, everything is due to her AGE. I understand your worries about your loving mother, but, when no organic cause is found, then, AGE is to blame. All body cells are programmed to function for a certain period of time. And this is what's happening with your mom. I need the test reports to be better able to help you.
With regards to Megace, you can give her safely as long as her doctor after revising her case has deciding to prescribe it. If you notice anything unusual, should stop giving Megace to your mom and report to her physician as soon as possible.
All the best and God bless!
Dr.Klerida
If nothing organic found, AGE factor to be considered....
Detailed Answer:
Hi back my dear,
Ok, as I do lack the reports of the tests you mention, after reviewing her medical history, I was asking about the tests as above-mentioned. If you have any report, you can send to me for further evaluations. If nothing was found in examination and tests and taking into account her age, everything is due to her AGE. I understand your worries about your loving mother, but, when no organic cause is found, then, AGE is to blame. All body cells are programmed to function for a certain period of time. And this is what's happening with your mom. I need the test reports to be better able to help you.
With regards to Megace, you can give her safely as long as her doctor after revising her case has deciding to prescribe it. If you notice anything unusual, should stop giving Megace to your mom and report to her physician as soon as possible.
All the best and God bless!
Dr.Klerida
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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