Question 1

hi. what is the normal range of the respiratory rate of an elderly person?

Accepted Answer

12-18 during health: According to Dr. Williams in a professional review of geriatrics pulmonary assessment from 2009, "Normal respiratory rates for older patients are 12 to 18 breaths per minute for those living independently and 16 to 25 breaths per minute for those in long term-care." There can be considerable variation depending on activity. If there is a concern about pulmonary status, best to see pulmonologist!

Question 2

is it unusual (even if possible) for overlap myeloproliferative-myelodysplastic disorder to lower an elderly person's oral temperature below 36c for about 50% of his temp readings over 2 weeks?  the temperatures are highly likely to be accurate.

Accepted Answer

Many seniors: have NORMAL low basal temperatures and those with chronic diseases (even NON-MYELOPROLIFERATIVE disorders do NOT respond with the extremely HIGH fevers sustained by young people!
Just a thought for you to "keep in mind".
Hope it helps
Dr Z

Question 3

my elderly mother has for years reported that she is cold (not just in winter) when it doesn't seem to me to be cold. i always do something to warm her up. is this only a peripheral problem? if her temperature were taken would it be likely to be low?

Accepted Answer

Can be 2/2 diseases: first you have to check the core temperature and it should be within normal , this feeling of coldness can be from different reasons exp, anemia and hypothyroidism and other reasons , so start with checking basic lab  exp CBC and TSH, in addition to CMB and liver function test

Question 4

i'm an elderly person (17) and my vision keeps going blurry, last for a few seconds, and returns to normal. what could cause this?

Accepted Answer

Elderly at 17????: Blurred vision should be checked buy ophthalmologist. Do not neglect it!

Question 5

what are normal vitamin d levels in elderly?

Accepted Answer

30-100: For adults is 30-100. There is not consensus yet for th elderly. Few labs may have different numbers.

Question 6

are crying and wanting to die symptoms normal for depression in the elderly or it was something else?

Accepted Answer

Many causes: Crying and wanting to die are symptoms that are common in those suffering from depression. However, it is important to make sure all causes of depression have been evaluated. Many things can cause depression, not just old age and vague chemical imbalance of the brain. It is not normal to be depressed, regardless of age. It is important to not jump to conclusions about what is causing depression.

Question 7

what is the normal vitamin d level in elderly?

Accepted Answer

>30: Generally a vit d level less then 30 is considered deficient. However, research still needs to be done to determine what is too low in different ethnicities and disease states. We still dont know how much to replace or how aggressively to replace vit d in different populations. Overall, vit d is safe and it is difficult to become toxic  unless one is ingessting large amounts or has renal disease.

Question 8

elderly hypertensive woman always has high bp only in the mornings and it goes down to near normal in about 2hrs even without drugs. what causes it?

Accepted Answer

Fluid/salt: If one has salty food  the day prior, fluid retention may occur; also, in bed, the fluid in ones legs tends to be absorbed, resulting in increased blood volume and pressure by morning.  Blood pressure medications are often given at bedtime to help reduce am bp.  Am is also the most stressful time for many.  This merits a careful medical evaluation.  Restrict salt.

Question 9

is it normal for elderly heavy smokers to have a high red blood cell count? is there a correlation or much more commonly something else?

Accepted Answer

: How high? All laboratory results need to be interpreted in the clinical context and the doctor who ordered the tests is usually in the best position to do that. Talk to the doctor who ordered the tests. Having said that, it would have helped had you provided the actual results.    Wish you good health!

Question 10

my elderly (86 year-old) father in law is coming off of percocet, and while the source of his pain is better, he's anxious and fearful. is this normal?

Accepted Answer

Slow taper: It is not uncommon to experience fear and or anxiety while coming off of narcotics.   The key is to keep support from friends and family strong and gradually taper off of the meds as instructed by your doctor.

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Doctor answers about:

Normal temperature for orm bp range for elderly

A member asked:

Hi. what is the normal range of the respiratory rate of an elderly person?

A member asked:

Is it unusual (even if possible) for overlap myeloproliferative-myelodysplastic disorder to lower an elderly person's oral temperature below 36c for about 50% of his temp readings over 2 weeks? the temperatures are highly likely to be accurate.

A member asked:

My elderly mother has for years reported that she is cold (not just in winter) when it doesn't seem to me to be cold. i always do something to warm her up. is this only a peripheral problem? if her temperature were taken would it be likely to be low?

A member asked:

I'm an elderly person (17) and my vision keeps going blurry, last for a few seconds, and returns to normal. what could cause this?

A member asked:

What are normal vitamin d levels in elderly?

A member asked:

Are crying and wanting to die symptoms normal for depression in the elderly or it was something else?

A member asked:

What is the normal vitamin d level in elderly?

A member asked:

Elderly hypertensive woman always has high bp only in the mornings and it goes down to near normal in about 2hrs even without drugs. what causes it?

A member asked:

Is it normal for elderly heavy smokers to have a high red blood cell count? is there a correlation or much more commonly something else?

A member asked:

My elderly (86 year-old) father in law is coming off of percocet, and while the source of his pain is better, he's anxious and fearful. is this normal?

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