Question 1

sudden disorientation (when before they were never disoriented) along with high white cell count in elderly but otherwise healthy and very mobile man. what could it be apart from leukemia?

Accepted Answer

Needs eval: Disorientation and elevated white count in elderly worry me about an infection of some sort. Most like urinary tract, but respiratory, skin and other sites should be evaluated. Thanks for trusting HealthTap!

Question 2

why might confusion occur in an elderly person taking a hot bath?

Accepted Answer

Only when bathing?: I'm not aware of anything medical to explain why anyone, regardless of age, would become confused only when taking a hot bath, assuming that they don't become confused using more tepid water or when not bathing. My guess is that there's an underlying condition, perhaps dementia, that's exacerbated by misunderstanding or fear of bathing. Try a bird bath instead. You know, sponge bath. Or shower.

Question 3

what causes an elderly gentleman to show slowness of gait, bent over stature, confusion?

Accepted Answer

DEMENTIA, PARKINSONS: But also a possibility of a condition called nph(normal pressure hydrocephalus) which is easily missed. Please discuss with his doctor.

Question 4

what can cause sudden onset of short and long term memory loss and confusion in the elderly?

Accepted Answer

Drug effects/toxins: Sudden onset is unusual & of great concern.  The most commonly prescribed drugs in the elderly, statins, have been found to cause this exact side effect, though it is usually transient.  See http://www.Spacedoc.Com/662_cases_memory_loss for more info.  Other medicines could cause this, such as sleeping pills & tranquilizers.  Acute toxicity with heavy metals/molds could cause but is less likely.

Question 5

can remeron (mirtazapine) cause memory loss and confusion in the elderly?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Remeron (mirtazapine) has been reported to cause confusion in about 2% of those taking it.  Dementia is also a reported side effect, which would likely be associated with memory loss. Elderly patients are often more susceptible to such side effects.  More information can be found at http://www.Drugs.Com/sfx/remeron-side-effects.Html.

Question 6

can inderal, (propranolol) once prescribed and tolerated, suddenly cause confusion in an elderly patient post infection?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Not a good drug for elderly.  Perhaps the combination of infection, inderal (propranolol), (propranolol) and prodromal alzheimers was unmasked by the combination.  Discuss with your doctor, but stoop the inderal (propranolol).

Question 7

can inderal (propranolol) suddenly cause confusion (following infection) in an elderly patient who's been taking it for years?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is a problem: Inderal (propranolol) is a nasty drug especially in the elderly.  Side effects include confusion, depression, fatigue, exercise intolerance, low blood pressure, asthma, etc.  The elderly have very poor tolerance, and if underlying brain changes, the infection can bring out problems, but the Inderal (propranolol) will make it worse.  Get a new medication.

Question 8

what are the negative affects of taking tramadol in my elderly mother.  confusion? no recollection of the day.  odd behavior. no answer from drs.

Accepted Answer

Possible: One cannot predict the effect of a particular drug with certainty and older people are more vulnerable if you stop the medication and the side effects stop and restart with resumption of the drug they must be related!?

Question 9

can a gout attack (ankle) in the elderly cause mental confusion from high uric acid level?  bun is fine, creatinine is 1.8.  thanks 4 any info.  :)

Accepted Answer

No/may be dehydrated: Gout, by itself cannot cause mental confusion, nor can high uric acid, but dehydration can and with a creatinine of 1.8 in an elderly person, the kidneys may not be working too well and need help, like fluids, so have him drink more fluids and if there is no improvement soon, it would be smart to see the doctor or go to the hospital for more acute hydration  treatment.  Good luck.

Question 10

can anything be done to help an elderly person who's wetting the bed profusely at night? she is very confused?

Accepted Answer

Provide diapers: Check if she does not have an urinary tract infection and decrease fluid intake at night. However, most likely you will need to get to wear adult diapers.

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Doctor answers about:

Sudden confusion in elderly

A member asked:

Sudden disorientation (when before they were never disoriented) along with high white cell count in elderly but otherwise healthy and very mobile man. what could it be apart from leukemia?

A member asked:

Why might confusion occur in an elderly person taking a hot bath?

A member asked:

What causes an elderly gentleman to show slowness of gait, bent over stature, confusion?

A member asked:

What can cause sudden onset of short and long term memory loss and confusion in the elderly?

A member asked:

Can remeron (mirtazapine) cause memory loss and confusion in the elderly?

A member asked:

Can inderal, (propranolol) once prescribed and tolerated, suddenly cause confusion in an elderly patient post infection?

A member asked:

Can inderal (propranolol) suddenly cause confusion (following infection) in an elderly patient who's been taking it for years?

A member asked:

What are the negative affects of taking tramadol in my elderly mother. confusion? no recollection of the day. odd behavior. no answer from drs.

A member asked:

Can a gout attack (ankle) in the elderly cause mental confusion from high uric acid level? bun is fine, creatinine is 1.8. thanks 4 any info. :)

A member asked:

Can anything be done to help an elderly person who's wetting the bed profusely at night? she is very confused?

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