“Why does my mom feel breathless even after a bath?”
My mother is 70years old and has been diabetic for nearly 32 years. Recently she has given up on doing any kind of activity including walking. She now feels very breathless even after a bath. What could be the reason?
4 Answers
There could be a number of reasons for breathlessness. To pin point the reason a more detailed history and examination is required. This could be something as simple as reconditioning or as critical as congestive heart failure. Deconditioning is muscular and physical weakness secondary to the lack of exercise and is very common in elderly. It is important to rule out any cardiac issue. Diabetic patients are at risk for cardiac problems. She will need a complete evaluation with her PCP first and then if needed be referred to the cardiologist.
Most of us at age 70 will become deconditioned unless we try hard to keep in shape by regularly exercising, and that lack of stamina becomes worse in a kind of vicious cycle; the more we don't exercise, the less we are able to do so. However, in order to be sure that it would be safe for your mother to undertake a reconditioning program, it would require a careful and thorough medical evaluation with her physician, because most elderly diabetics are at a high risk of coronary artery disease, and the chronic loss of reserve capacity in every organ system, heart, lungs, kidneys, thyroid, etc. The good news is that much of this disability might be reversed with medical attention, then, if the way was cleared for a safe increase in exercise, it might be possible to do so so that over a few months, the breathlessness would subside to a degree. But shortness of breath is not a trivial symptom in an elderly diabetic woman, so again, the thorough evaluation is essential and then hopefully, with some simple changes, the lack of stamina can be overcome, leading to a more satisfying life and the ability to be more active comfortably. But a careful and thorough evaluation and then a slow and steady recuperation to a state of higher functionality should be possible. Her physician will help her pave the way, good luck to her!
My advice is to see your family physician. This could be a complication of diabetes.
Shannon Tapia
Geriatrician
There could be a variety of reasons, but with her history of diabetes, my biggest concerns would be fluid retention in her lungs either due to Congestive Heart Failure or Kidney disease or a bit of both. I recommend she bring this to the attention of her PCP immediately. Also, it is very possible that she is just extremely deconditioned and needs to work her way back into activity.
