
Hi, My Father Is At 62 Years Age. He Is

Posted on
Tue, 19 Mar 2019
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team


Question : Hi,
My father is at 62 Years age.
He is NOT having any significant medical ailment (like BP, Blood Sugar, Cholesterol etc) as per lab reports, other than following conditions:
1. Inguinal Hernia (about 20 Years) and unoperated, uses compressive belt
2. Glaucoma
3. Difficulty in digestion when taking some hard to digest food in moderate quantity. Therefore, takes only less than normal quantities of such food, to avoid digestion difficulty (which otherwise triggers loose motions)
4. Difficulty managing stress and almost always remain highly stressed/ worried on even small matters
The problem for which we need advise is that he is loosing weight since last few years and has lost about 6-8 kg weight in past 1-2 years without any visible reasons. Critically important point to note is that his food intake (total of whole day) is higher than other family members and has never declined. Since early morning about 7 to 8 am diet starts and continues on every 2-3 hours either in form of routine food items, biscuits, milk, fruits, snacks, horlicks etc and closes at about 9 pm evening. There is no restriction in food like oil, sugar etc - these are all included as per normal diet of normal person.
On advise from one doctor, he also took Ensure supplement for 5-6 months, but this also did not change the scenario.
Currently his weight has reduced to 50 kg (decline of 3 kg in past 6 months despite impressive food plan) and height is 166 cm.
He feels cold much higher than others. BP normally remain in range of about 110/75.
Some time back, there had been extensive tests and consultation like cardio, endochrine, gastro, GP etc. to figure out the root cause, however nothing could have been identified in lab tests.
Therefore, we need advise , as in which direction we should start to pin point the root cause for addressing it.
My father is at 62 Years age.
He is NOT having any significant medical ailment (like BP, Blood Sugar, Cholesterol etc) as per lab reports, other than following conditions:
1. Inguinal Hernia (about 20 Years) and unoperated, uses compressive belt
2. Glaucoma
3. Difficulty in digestion when taking some hard to digest food in moderate quantity. Therefore, takes only less than normal quantities of such food, to avoid digestion difficulty (which otherwise triggers loose motions)
4. Difficulty managing stress and almost always remain highly stressed/ worried on even small matters
The problem for which we need advise is that he is loosing weight since last few years and has lost about 6-8 kg weight in past 1-2 years without any visible reasons. Critically important point to note is that his food intake (total of whole day) is higher than other family members and has never declined. Since early morning about 7 to 8 am diet starts and continues on every 2-3 hours either in form of routine food items, biscuits, milk, fruits, snacks, horlicks etc and closes at about 9 pm evening. There is no restriction in food like oil, sugar etc - these are all included as per normal diet of normal person.
On advise from one doctor, he also took Ensure supplement for 5-6 months, but this also did not change the scenario.
Currently his weight has reduced to 50 kg (decline of 3 kg in past 6 months despite impressive food plan) and height is 166 cm.
He feels cold much higher than others. BP normally remain in range of about 110/75.
Some time back, there had been extensive tests and consultation like cardio, endochrine, gastro, GP etc. to figure out the root cause, however nothing could have been identified in lab tests.
Therefore, we need advise , as in which direction we should start to pin point the root cause for addressing it.

**hard to digest food - like dry fruits/ nuts (walnut, almond, cashew etc), non veg items etc.
Brief Answer:
can you elaborate the details of evaluation...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I went through the details with diligence and from what I understand your father is losing weight gradually. At the outset gradual weight loss as in this case is not significant weight loss. However you mentioned there was no apparent reason for weight loss; so let's see if there is any known cause.
Weight loss occurs due to diet / life style change. Other common causes include diabetes, thyroid hormone disturbance, chronic infection, tumors and psychological factors. You mentioned he has been evaluated by multiple specialist - endocrinologist, gastroenterologist and physician. I assume all tests to exclude aforementioned conditions are done. If you are not aware, then I would like to know the details of tests done.
If there are no organic conditions, then his psychological state should also be assessed. If it remains normal, then perhaps he should try consulting a nutritionist who can assess / counsel the dietary parameters.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you need clarifications.
Regards
can you elaborate the details of evaluation...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I went through the details with diligence and from what I understand your father is losing weight gradually. At the outset gradual weight loss as in this case is not significant weight loss. However you mentioned there was no apparent reason for weight loss; so let's see if there is any known cause.
Weight loss occurs due to diet / life style change. Other common causes include diabetes, thyroid hormone disturbance, chronic infection, tumors and psychological factors. You mentioned he has been evaluated by multiple specialist - endocrinologist, gastroenterologist and physician. I assume all tests to exclude aforementioned conditions are done. If you are not aware, then I would like to know the details of tests done.
If there are no organic conditions, then his psychological state should also be assessed. If it remains normal, then perhaps he should try consulting a nutritionist who can assess / counsel the dietary parameters.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you need clarifications.
Regards
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad

Answered by

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
