What can cause an elderly person to pass out, eyes roll back in head, and be disorineted at night?
Hi Danna,Does this person have any health problems?Is he or she on any medications?Dr. Abby
yes she in on medications. Has past history of hip fracture but is able to walk. Colitis problems
Hi Danna,Well, the way that you describe the symptoms sound like it could possibly be a seizure. This can cause eye rolling back in the head, loss of consciousness and then disorientation or confusion after the event. The person can feel quite tired afterwards as well. Seizures can be temporal, meaning that they may happen at certain times of the day more than others.It is hard to say that is what is going on without knowing her, but that would be a concern.Elderly people also can get disoriented at night if they are in an unfamiliar place. This is called sundowning. this would not cause the eye rolling or loss of consciousness though.Medications (especially for sleep, like ambien/zolpidem) can cause strange behaviors at night, so if she is on them, it could be related to that.I would definitely discuss this with her doctor, if you are in a position to do so. It is not a normal thing for an elderly person to do.If you have any more questions, please ask.Dr. Abby
she thought she needed something to help her sleep at night. she has never been a drinker but is taking some whiskey at night I am not for use how much medication she is taking with it. Could this cause her to have seizures or passing out with her eyes rolling back? She doesn't remember anything that happened the next morning.
Danna,It is possible, especially if she is not usually a drinker. It may not necessarily be causing her to have seizures; it may just be causing her to pass out and not remember anything (especially if she is drinking to much or if there is an interaction with a medication she is taking). Alcohol can have dangerous interactions with some medications. Her doctor does need to know that this is going on (the passing out) and needs to know that she is drinking before bed so that he can check on any drug interactions.I do not know if this is the cause, but it is possible.And the alcohol at night makes her at risk for another fall....Dr. AbbyDr. Abby40017.8122362269
Experience: Family Physician practicing medicine for over 10 years, United States