My mother in law is 80 years old and has Alzheimers for last 5 years. She is in moderate stage now with aggression, confusion and short term memory loss. She is highly diabetic and loves drinking juice and bananas and we hide it from her. But in the last month or so, she has lost interest in it. I also notice she is not eating as before. She takes iron tablets, so her poop has always been black and small for the last few years. Her tummy has suddenly increased in the last couple of weeks, inspite of reduced eating. She wears a size 14 that fitted atleast 2 weeks ago, but when we tried the same size now, it doesnt fit and then we bought the next size and it doesnt fit. A month back we found a little blood in her underwear and took her to the doc but the UTI tests came out fine and doctor said an ultrasound for bowel was not needed. Is this type of bloating common in Alzheimer's patients?
Your call if you are in charge of mom's medical decisions.
Blood in her underwear might be more likely to be a bowel problem than a Urinary Tract Infection (I’ve had several UTIs, but never blood). It could be from a gut irritation, but could also be bowel cancer growing very quickly, hence the bloating. It is possible that her GP thought there was nothing useful to be done, in view of her age and other problems. Alternatively, perhaps it would be worth getting a second opinion. My mother had metastatic cancer through her tummy, radical surgery, lots of pain, huge medical bills, and died three months later. I wish we had had ‘do nothing’ advice, don’t assume it’s incompetence.
It can be normal to have more belly fat accumulating in the female after age 50. You are also mentioning dark stools which makes me know that you recognize there can be a danger of occult blood turning stools dark; being on iron can mask finding here, but the doctor will have tested for blood in her stool and the UTI.
Given her visit a bowel obstruction is likely ruled out with good bowel sounds, passing flatus, and having stools.
There can be accumulating fluid in the abdominal area with right sided heart failure also; is there any increase in swelling of lower extremities.
It seems to me you are doing proper followup and checking in with the doctor. While this concerns you this is a good idea, and if you continue to be concerned another visit to MD is appropriate. He is your best guide with anything concerning that falls into the medical sphere. Wish you good luck. You seems to me to be on top of this, and seeking medical help. That's about what you can do.
Lab tests- how is her white count? Protein and liver function levels? What is the status of electrolytes?
lastly, does she have any heart issues? Many women hide fluid retention in their gut. Could be she needs a good diuretic. Again, checking electrolytes could show potassium or sodium out of normal levels.
Ypu sound like a good advocate for her, so keep asking.
From what I understand of bloating and the Liver, if cirrhosis, that is the last stage.