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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Dizziness And Shortness Of Breath In A Alzheimer's Patient?

I'm caring for an alzheimer's patient. We were standing by the sink while I shaved him. He became agitated, said he needed to lie down. Walked a couple of steps and started to fall. I lowered him to the floor -- no chance he banged his head. Face got beet red, and he had a series of heaving gasps for air. I don't think he lost consciousness, although he didn't answer my questions for a few seconds. Entire "attack" was over in perhaps five minutes, then he seemed fine.
posted on Thu, 13 Mar 2014
Twitter Wed, 17 Sep 2014 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 18 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
The 'attack' as you describe could be due to
1. a partial seizure which are known to occur in patients of Alzheimer's
or
2. a cardiac event such as arrhythmia that made him uncomfortable and dizzy
or
3. a sudden anxiety to which Alzheimer's patients are prone due to their cognitive impairment.
There could be some other reasons but given the shortness of 'attack' these are most likely.
The good part of it is that he said that he needed to lie down.
Don't worry. Carry on with your routine. If the attack repeats, you may take him to a doctor.
Hope this answers your question.
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What Causes Dizziness And Shortness Of Breath In A Alzheimer's Patient?

The attack as you describe could be due to 1. a partial seizure which are known to occur in patients of Alzheimer s or 2. a cardiac event such as arrhythmia that made him uncomfortable and dizzy or 3. a sudden anxiety to which Alzheimer s patients are prone due to their cognitive impairment. There could be some other reasons but given the shortness of attack these are most likely. The good part of it is that he said that he needed to lie down. Don t worry. Carry on with your routine. If the attack repeats, you may take him to a doctor. Hope this answers your question.