My mom is trembling, cold, and light headed?!
Question: My mom is trembling, cold, and light headed?
Everything was alright, except for the fact that she felt very light-headed at times during the car ride home. However, just 10 minutes ago she began shaking a lot and said she was freezing and couldn't get warm, she couldn't stop shaking, and she hurts (like how you hurt when you're sick).
I looked up some things on the internet and it said it could be a result from fatigue and even anxiety disorders. My mom has had an anxiety disorder her whole life but claims she has never had a panic attack that severe or had felt anything like this. She is and has been on her anxiety meds, and has not had any symptoms until this morning (she had a sore throat and felt like somebody has been sitting on her chest).
As a write this she seems to have calmed down. She's stopped shaking and I've given her some hot tea to drink. My guess at diagnosis is as follows:
-Suffering from fatigue
-Cold
-Flu
-Pneumonia
-Hypoglycemia (Low blood sugar, she says she's only had a sandwich and drinks with 0 sugar today)
However, I'm obviously not a doctor (I'm 17), so I'd like some professional advice, or atleast someone's advice. I do plan to keep an eye on her just in case. Thanks in advanced.
Answers:
Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
Hold the hot tea for 10minutes and use a thermometer to check her temperature. Sounds like rigors from a fever which can cause dehydration leading to lightheadedness. Anxiety which could also be brought on from the rigors (trembling, shakes) could also cause her to hyperventilate causing lightheadedness, and chest pain. Use Tylenol or Advil to reduce fever, help body aches, sore throat. Encourage fluids (Gatorade, Powerade, Water, Herbal Teas) to hydrate her. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and tobacco and give her something light to eat (toast, soup). Gargle with warm salt water for throat pain and get a good nights sleep. Avoid overheating with blankets. If symptoms worsen ( productive cough yellow or green sputum, pus, white patches in throat, difficulty breathing, chest pain that is unrelated to breathing in or coughing, confusion, continued lightheadedness or fainting) see a doctor.
You're a good kid Zach =)
ER RN
trembling, cold and lightheaded(incoherent) sound like hypothermia. if you warm her up, she should be alright. the hot tea is a start. take her core temperature and if it's below 98, cover her with blanket to warm her body back up. sipping chicken soup can't hurt, you're a good kid; im proud of you
She probably has the flu. the all-over achiness is a hallmark symptom of the flu, and it's common to loose the appetite with the flu, which would explain her lack of appetite.
Ill effects from the alcohol or drugs she took down there. Do well in school and find an Alateen meeting in your area.
Phone first. Many communities have a health advice telephone line. If you don't know of one, then try calling the local hospital and ask to speak to a nurse.
Take her temperature with a thermometer. Normal body temperature is 37 Celcius or equivalently 98.6 Fahrenheit. In some adults the temperature can be a bit lower. If the temperature is over 38 Celcius or over 99.5 Fahrenheit, that is a definite fever, and indicates infection.
If she feels too cold then keep her warm and dry with blankets. Tea was a good idea but it is better if she gets something nutritious, like soup (yes, chicken soup) or apple juice. If she feels like vomiting, make sure she does drink at least 2 ounces of fluid every hour or two, even if very slowly. If she is unable to drink any fluid, then the problem is more serious and she needs to go immediately to a doctor or emergency.
The description "like somebody has been sitting on her chest" is disturbing. Always take it seriously if someone describes trouble breathing. Listen to her voice and if she is coughing, listen to her cough. Does it sound dry or wet? Is her voice normal or does it sound different? These could be signs of lung or throat infection.
Strep can have a lot of muscle pain and sore throat. Strep would be more likely if she has been travelling. Does she have any redness on her skin? Also, ask her to open her mouth wide and take a look at the back of her throat. Does it look red or sore? Are there any signs of swelling or pus? For comparison you can try looking at your own throat in a mirror, to see what it should be when normal. Strep needs to be treated IMMEDIATELY with anti-biotic.