What Causes Progressive Weakness With Attack Of Unconsciousness?

Posted on Mon, 6 Jan 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 6 Jan 2014 Answered on

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : my grandfather is 89 years old .he was feeling weakness from past 7 to 8 days .two days before while going to bathroom he got subconscious and fell down.Now he is in ICU ,the doctors there conducted CT scan & MRI of Brain, sodium test and blood test all are normal.The details of tests are not yet given by doctors as he is in ICU now we got totally confused about how to treat him .please advice us

Answered by Dr. Praveen K Nath (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer: UNCONSCIOUSNESS Detailed Answer: DEAR SIR HELLO MY BEST WISHES FOR A SPEEDY & COMPLETE RECOVERY OF YOUR GRANDFATHER . I have gone through detailed medical history of your grandfather. Progressive weakness for past 7/8 days with attack of unconsciousness , definitely needs investigations & treatment . May i suggest you to 1. Continue with treatment in icu as advised by doctors . 2. Check whether blood sugar was normal . as low/high blood sugar both can cause altered sensorium . We need to treat sugars properly . 3. Check whether CT/MRI BRAIN were completely normal or has shown any infarct /hemorrage (1.5 tesla MRI is needed to rule out small infarcts ) 4. Check whether his BLOOD PRESSURE is normal , as hypo/hypertension both can cause altered sensorium . 5. If above all is normal , he might have developed a seizure , for which ANTICONVULSANT MEDICATIONS are given . 6 If your grandfather has still not regained consciousness , you might need to repeat tests . Thanx Hope this answers your querry DR XXXXXXX K XXXXXXX DIRECTOR DEPTT. OF NEUROSURGERY

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Praveen K Nath (2 days later)

Thank you for your fast reply,, although i am late to reply you,, but yesterday night he got energency . And the doctors there told that he got lungs infection and pneumonia too,,, plus a very low bp , so they kept him on ventilator today,, by the evening they told us about no improvement,, currently he is on ventilator,, tommorrow we will take him to native place,, is there still any hope??

Answered by Dr. Praveen K Nath (11 hours later)

Brief Answer: PNEUMONIA Detailed Answer: DEAR MR XXXXXXX JI HELLO MY BEST WISHES ALWAYS FOR YOU. I have gone through your grandpa,s progress . Lung infection /pneumonia / hypotension is a bad prognostic sign especially in an elderly patient . these things are to be managed as per physician with VENTILATION/ANTIBIOTICS/ INOTROPES etc . Decision about discontinuing treatment/ventilation is always as per family members BUT medically we ,as doctors continue treatment support till the patient has +ve brainstem reflexes . you can discuss this with your neurologist . There is no problem in discontinuing treatment/ventilation if the patient is brain dead . Thanx MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS DR XXXXXXX K XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar