Strange Health Issues in Elderly People Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Senior Health Strange Health Issues in Elderly People By Dr. Richard LiebowitzReviewed: April 9, 2007Fact-CheckedQ1. My mother-in-law has a strange problem. She is pushing 90, but for many years she has had a condition where she sweats profusely. She sweats so much she has to change her bedding and her clothing many times a day. She's been to many doctors but they've not helped her. Her social life has been badly hampered by this problem. Any idea what it could be and how to fix it? — Sue, Pennsylvania Excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis occurs when the body sweats more than is necessary to control its temperature. It is not very common, as less than one percent of people suffer with this condition. While the sweating can occur all over the body, it is most common on the feet, hands, and underarms. This condition typically starts early in life during adolescence — less than five percent of cases begin in adulthood. Interestingly, it occurs almost 20 times more frequently in people of Japanese descent. While most cases have no clear explanation for the increased sweating, there are a number of conditions that can lead to this problem. They include an overactive thyroid, diabetes, gout, menopause (though this is usually of a limited duration), alcohol, and certain drugs. Treatment is aimed at correcting the underlying problem, if one is identified. If no explanation is uncovered, treatment includes the use of topical agents such as 20 percent aluminum chloride and oral medications that work on the nervous system, which is responsible for the sweating. The bad news is that these medications can have many side effects, particularly in the elderly. Other approaches include iontophoresis, in which an electrical current is applied over the skin, and most recently, injection of botulinum toxin in the region of the armpit (the toxin works to block the release of a chemical in the body that drives sweat production). A visit with her physician would result in choosing the best approach, taking into account any other medical problems your mother-in-law may have. Q2. I'm 60 years old and have been dealing with terrible dry mouth for the last year. I'm not taking any new medications and I feel fine otherwise. Is this age-related? What can I do about it? I feel like no matter how much I drink, I can never satisfy my thirst! — Arlene, Maryland Given your age and the symptoms of dry mouth that you describe — including the fact that you feel as though you cannot satisfy your thirst even with ample hydration — it is important that you see a doctor who can evaluate the possibility of diabetes, which is associated with dry mouth and unsatisfied thirst. Medical conditions like Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and hypertension may also cause dry mouth in some patients. Of course, there are also a variety of other, less serious causes of dry mouth, including breathing from the mouth rather than the nose (especially at night), smoking or chewing tobacco, or excessive consumption of alcohol. In some cases, for reasons not altogether clear, some degree of dryness of the eyes and mouth can occur in older people without any clear explanation. The first step in solving the problem is to see a doctor who can rule out a more serious cause, like diabetes, and then you can work together to determine and treat what’s causing the dry mouth. Q3. I have an older friend who has been passing out at times, and he often feels weak. When this happens, he seems a little disoriented, his legs give out from underneath him, and he falls or almost falls. How should he deal with this? It is essential that your friend receives a neurological examination and a cardiovascular evaluation to determine the cause of his fainting spells. British doctors refer to the symptoms you’re describing as “drop attacks” when they’re exhibited by older persons such as your friend. The reasons behind such spontaneous attacks can be different for different people — some being more serious than others — so it’s imperative to determine the cause. A proper diagnosis can lead to effective prevention of these attacks, or, at the very least can help him to prepare for and manage an attack when it does occur. Learn more in the Everyday Health Senior Health Center. NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Healthy Living Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. 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