Our Aging Parents

"If only I'd known ... I would have done things differently!"

  • Home
    • Definitions
      • Definitions – A
      • Definitions – B
      • Definitions – C
      • Definitions – D
      • Definitions E – F
      • Definitions – G
      • Definitions – H
      • Definitions – I
      • Definitions J – L
      • Definitions M – N
      • Definitions O – P
      • Definitions Q – R
      • Definitions – S
      • Definitions T – Z
  • Caregiving Basics
    • From Chaos to Confidence
      • Are Your Elderly Parents In Denial?
      • How to Communicate Effectively with Your Elderly Parent
      • “How to …” Videos
    • Biggest Mistakes
      • In the Blink of an Eye
      • How to Find Your “Me” Time
      • Tips for Sandwich Parents
    • How to Talk with Your Parent about …
      • Driving
        • Senior Transportation
      • Their Health
      • Advance Directives
      • Their Money
    • Money | Legal
      • Before It’s Too Late
      • Scams That Target Seniors
      • Missing Legal Papers
      • Social Security
        • Social Security – More Short Stories
      • Old, Frail and Evicted
      • Patient Privacy Rules
      • Who Else Inherits
    • Home Is …
      • Aging at Home
        • Home Alone – Are They OK?
        • Unfriendly Granny Flats
      • Assisted Living
      • Nursing Home
      • Memory Care
    • Support Group
      • How to Participate
    • Caregiver Bookshelf
  • Alzheimer’s | Dementia
    • Alzheimer’s Is …
    • The Seven Stages
    • Worried About Alzheimer’s?
    • Your Odds of Getting Alzheimer’s
    • Is It Alzheimer’s? … or Something Curable?
    • Is It Alzheimer’s? … or Dementia?
    • What Is It Like To Have Alzheimer’s?
      • Their World vs Our World
      • Agitation – A Natural Consequence of Alzheimer’s?
      • My Elderly Dad Really Hates Me
    • Symptoms
    • Quick Tips
      • Alzheimer’s Tip #20
  • Toxic Parents
    • Addicted to Pain Medications
    • Alcoholics
    • Narcissists
      • How to Deal with a Toxic Mother
      • Confessions of a Narcissist
    • Set Boundaries for Toxic Parents, Partners and Siblings
    • How to Divorce Your Abusive Parent
  • Health | Medical
    • Medicare Basics
      • Medicare Benefit Gaps – 2020
      • Medicare Part B Premium and Deductibles for 2021
      • FAQs, Tips & Nasty Surprises
    • Symptoms Not to Ignore
      • Alzheimer’s
      • Aphasia
      • Cardiac Arrest
      • Dehydration
      • Delirium
      • Depression
      • Falls
      • Hallucinations
      • Heart Attack
      • My Toes Are Cold!
      • Pneumonia
      • Strokes and Mini-Strokes (TIAs)
      • Swallowing Problems
      • Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
    • Drug Interactions and Side Effects
  • More Resources
    • Caregivers Ask …
    • Free eBooks
    • Checklists
    • Organizers
  • About
    • About Me
    • My Story
    • My 2¢
    • Testimonials
Home » Symptoms Not to Ignore

Symptoms Not to Ignore

by Mike Gamble


In this section, we cover many of the major issues that challenge older adults, including:

  • Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias
  • Aphasia
  • Cardiac Arrest
  • Dehydration
  • Delirium
  • Depression
  • Falls
  • Hallucinations
  • Heart Attack
  • My Toes Are Cold (spinal issues)
  • Pneumonia
  • Strokes and Mini-Strokes (TIAs)
  • Swallowing Problems
  • Vitamin B12 Deficiency

But, our list is far from complete. Here are other major symptoms not to ignore:

Unexplained weight loss

Losing weight without trying might sound like a dream come true. But, in reality, it can signal a health problem. If you’re not obese and you’ve lost more than 10 percent of your body weight during the past six months — for instance, 15 pounds if you weigh 150 pounds — consult your doctor.

An unexplained drop in weight could be caused by various conditions — including overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), diabetes, depression, liver disease, cancer or disorders that interfere with how your body absorbs nutrients (malabsorption disorders).

Persistent or high fever

A fever isn’t necessarily a cause for alarm. Fever seems to play a key role in fighting infection. Persistent fever can signal a hidden infection, which could be anything from a urinary tract infection to tuberculosis. In some cases, cancerous (malignant) conditions — such as lymphomas — cause prolonged or persistent fevers, as can some medications.

Call your doctor if your temperature is 103°F or higher or you’ve had a fever for more than three days.

Shortness of breath

Shortness of breath could signal an underlying health problem. Very strenuous exercise, extreme temperatures, massive obesity and high altitude all can cause shortness of breath. Outside of these examples, shortness of breath is likely a sign of a medical problem. If you have unexplained shortness of breath, especially if it comes on suddenly and is severe, seek emergency medical care.

Causes for breathlessness might include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, asthma (yes, older people can develop asthma), pneumonia, a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism), as well as other heart and lung problems. Difficulty breathing can also occur with a panic attack — a sudden episode of intense anxiety that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause.

Unexplained changes in bowel habits

What’s considered normal for bowel movements varies widely. Consult your doctor if you notice unusual or unexplained changes in what’s normal for you, such as:

  • Bloody, black or tarry-colored stools
  • Persistent watery diarrhea or constipation
  • Unexplained urges to have a bowel movement

Changes in bowel habits could signal a bacterial infection — such as campylobacter, salmonella or clostridium difficile (C. diff), the latter most likely to affect patients in hospitals or long-term care facilities — or a viral or parasitic infection. Other possible causes include irritable bowel disease and colon cancer.

Confusion or personality changes

Seek medical attention if you have sudden:

  • Poor thinking skills
  • Difficulty focusing, sustaining or shifting attention
  • Behavior changes

These changes could be caused by many problems, including infection, poor nutrition, mental health conditions or medications.

Flashing lights in your peripheral vision

The tiny specks that drift across your field of vision, especially if you haven’t noticed them before, can be worrisome. The good news is that these floaters are generally not a cause for concern.

But, if you suddenly get lots of new floaters, pain in your eyes, persistent images of flashing lights or loss of your peripheral vision, see an ophthalmologist right away. Your retina may have become detached. This is a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment. Putting it off can mean permanent loss of your vision.

Feeling full after eating very little

If you consistently feel full sooner than normal or after eating less than usual, get checked by your doctor. This feeling, known as early satiety, also might be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, bloating or weight loss. If so, be sure to tell your doctor about these signs and symptoms as well.

Possible causes of early satiety include gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly known as GERD, and peptic ulcers. In some cases, a more serious problem — such as pancreatic cancer — could be a factor.

Additional Resources
  • 7 signs and symptoms not to ignore — Mayo Clinic
  • C. diff — WebMD

We welcome your comments. And, if this post was helpful,
please share it with your friends.

Related Posts:

  • Symptoms of PneumoniaSymptoms of Pneumonia
  • Signs and Symptoms of DepressionSigns and Symptoms of Depression
  • Heart Attack! – My Symptoms and Warning SignsHeart Attack! – My Symptoms and Warning Signs

About Mike Gamble

Mike is a former family caregiver with a passion for improving the Quality of Life for Older Adults and Family Caregivers.

Subscribe
Login
Notify of
Please login to comment
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Sign Up for Email Updates

Mike Gamble

Mike is a former family caregiver with a passion for improving the Quality of Life for Older Adults and Family Caregivers. Read More…

Topics

  • Addiction
  • Advance Directives
  • Aging at Home
  • Alcoholic Parents
  • Alzheimer's
  • Alzhimer's
  • Assisted Living
  • Biggest Mistakes
  • Caregivers' Bookshelf
  • Caregivers Ask
  • Caregiving Basics
  • Checklists & Worksheets
  • Communication
  • Definitions
  • Dementia
  • Elderly Drivers
  • Explanations of Terms
  • Fitness | Frailty
  • Free eBooks
  • Granny Flats
  • Health | Medical
  • Heart Attack
  • Home Is ...
  • How to...
  • Living Will
  • Medicare
  • Medicare - Quick Tips
  • Memory Care
  • Money | Legal
  • My 2¢
  • Narcissists
  • Nursing Homes
  • Organizers
  • Pain
  • Personal Safety
  • Power of Attorney
  • Quick Tips – Alzheimer's
  • Quick Tips – Money
  • Scams
  • Senior Care
  • Senior Living Options
  • Senior Transportation
  • Social Security
  • Support Group
  • Symptoms
  • Testimonials
  • Together We Can
  • Toxic Parents
  • Universal Design

By using our website, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Home | Disclosures and Relationships | Contact

Copyright © 2020 · Our Aging Parents · All rights reserved.

wpDiscuz

Cookies

We use cookies to give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site, we will assume that you agree to our use of cookies. Your Privacy