HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Causes Severe Lower Back Pain And Loss Of Appetite?

I have an assignment and i m not pretty sure about the diagnosis of the patient. But it goes like this,, patient is 72 year old female, admitted after a fall.... she is experiencing DOB, severe low back pain, loss of appetite, x-rays revealed no fractures.. . can u please explain why the patient is experiencing DOB and loss of appetite? and is it possible that the case of the pain is compression of the nerves on the lower back?
Fri, 24 Jul 2015
Report Abuse
Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Falls is common in geriatric age but should be evaluated thoroughly. I suggest you assess system wise, cause could be related to CNS or CVS. Difficulty in breathing, again evaluate if it's a central cause or due to pneumonia or even if during the fall she has injured her cervical spine that could also cause difficulty breathing. Lower back ache is probably due to a compression fracture recheck the X ray, if X ray not suggestive of fracture then you get a MRI done to see for nerve compression. At 72yrs lack of appetite is common even in normal elderly due to decreased gastric juice secretion and digestive enzyme activity which can be improved with digestive enzymes supplementation.
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
What Causes Severe Lower Back Pain And Loss Of Appetite?

Falls is common in geriatric age but should be evaluated thoroughly. I suggest you assess system wise, cause could be related to CNS or CVS. Difficulty in breathing, again evaluate if it s a central cause or due to pneumonia or even if during the fall she has injured her cervical spine that could also cause difficulty breathing. Lower back ache is probably due to a compression fracture recheck the X ray, if X ray not suggestive of fracture then you get a MRI done to see for nerve compression. At 72yrs lack of appetite is common even in normal elderly due to decreased gastric juice secretion and digestive enzyme activity which can be improved with digestive enzymes supplementation.