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What Causes Unexplained Loss Of Weight In Old Age?

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Posted on Wed, 18 Mar 2015
Question: I am a 56 year old male. I have been losing weight without trying (about 50 lbs in the last year). I am overweight. I have had bowel changes (narrowing). I also have a smooth mass in the left side of my neck, which has not been biopsied yet. I had to drink barium before they did the test for that. I have been fatigued and weak. I can't walk 10 steps without breathing hard and then I have to sit down. I have had shortness of breath for about 6 months. In the last couple of months, I have started to have a burning lung sensation. Sometimes, it comes out of no where. Other times, it happens when I've been out in the cold. I used to have asthma, but haven't needed preventive or rescue inhalers for 15 years or more. I also have central and obstructive sleep apnea and use a C-PAP with 15 lbs. of pressure. I have had a echo stress heart test and a 2-D image test on my hear which were normal. I have seen a surgeon about having a colonoscopy and endoscopy as soon as a cardiologist certifies that I am healthy enough to do so. I take Prilosec, Invokana, and Jentadueto for Type 2 diabestes. I also take 1200 mg fish oil once a day. Ulcers were diagnosed when I was 13-14. I have had bleeding ulcers three times in my life. I was diagnosed with diabetes about 10 years ago. I was hospitalized for a GI bleed in 2006 or 2007 with a follow-up colonoscopy that didn't reveal the source of the bleeding.
I am worried that my symptoms indicate heart problems although the tests were normal. I am also worried about colon cancer. I need some advice as to what I should do.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Please, do a colonoscopy!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am o sorry about what you have been experiencing. This must be a difficult time for you/ Weight loss in an elderly with no clear reason must be taken serious and cancers investigated and ruled out. With stool changes, I will suggest that you go on and get a colonoscopy. This exams requires just sedation and most persons, even the very sick ones can get it done safely.

How are you blood levels? How is the lung function? I will also like to see these investigated and addressed accordingly as these are possible causes of shortness of breath.

Sincerely, no one ca say what the exact problem is without further thorough and detailed investigations. however, I am confident that with determination and more commitment we would get answers.

Let's get the gastroenetrologist, hematologists and pulmunologist on this to see how it plays out.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more information if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ivo Ditah

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 3984 Questions

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What Causes Unexplained Loss Of Weight In Old Age?

Brief Answer: Please, do a colonoscopy! Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. I am o sorry about what you have been experiencing. This must be a difficult time for you/ Weight loss in an elderly with no clear reason must be taken serious and cancers investigated and ruled out. With stool changes, I will suggest that you go on and get a colonoscopy. This exams requires just sedation and most persons, even the very sick ones can get it done safely. How are you blood levels? How is the lung function? I will also like to see these investigated and addressed accordingly as these are possible causes of shortness of breath. Sincerely, no one ca say what the exact problem is without further thorough and detailed investigations. however, I am confident that with determination and more commitment we would get answers. Let's get the gastroenetrologist, hematologists and pulmunologist on this to see how it plays out. I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more information if need be.