dimentia and low oxygen

My dad is 83. He has been in the hospital 4 times in the last month and a half. He has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure and low oxygen levels. Three weeks ago, his stomach, testicles, and legs began filling with fluid which caused tremendouls swelling in all three areas but at least he was lucid. The VA admitted him to the local hospital and they sent him home after two days. The swelling got worse so this last time when we took him to the VA hospital in another city for his routine oxygen check we also took him to ER so they could check why he was swelling so much. He was immediately admitted and now is very confused. No one at the hospital seems to be able to tell us what is going on. Dad recognizes me every day when I go visit, but has no idea he is at the hospital or why. He says he can't walk and has become incontinent. Yesterday he said he couldn't eat all day because everyone is trying to poison his food. Could all of this be related to the dimentia (dementia) he seems to be having? Is there anything that can be done?

[kenkeith]

I was diagnosed with congested heart failure 6 years ago, and it appears your father has a similar condtion.  What is happening the heart has weak contradtility, and it is unable to pump into circulation the amount of blood oxygen received from the lungs.  This backs up the blood into the lungs and peripherals and fluids leak into the tissues.

With the output of blood/oxygen at a lower than normal, the brain as well as the heart, and peripherals will not receive an adequate supply.  When I was in the hospital for CHF my oxygen level was low and required repiratory oxygen supply.  It took a few days to get the oxygen level to normal.  The brain demands at least 20% of the body’s oxygen supply, when it doesn’t get this supply it can lead to issues such as sleep problems, poor concentration, forgetfulness, mood swings, restlessness, depressive thoughts and low drive.

Hope this helps you understand.

[LindaTX]

Something similar happened with my elderly father.  His dementia came on fairly suddenly and he ended up having a urinary-tract infection. It caused him to be somewhat dillusional and incoherent. They treated him with the proper antibiotics and he got better in no time.