Alzheimer Disease Forum - Low Blood Count and Sleepiness

Conditions and Diseases > Alzheimer Disease Forum > Low Blood Count and Sleepiness

Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that causes dementia. But what causes Alzheimers? What signs can you look for?...

Q: Low Blood Count and Sleepiness

asked by: DoctorQuestion on December 9th, 2006

My Dad has Alzheimers, and about 3 years ago was in & out of the hospital for blood transfusions. Seems he had something in his intestine that was bleeding and causing the blood loss. Several proceedures and hospitals later, they were able to identify the area, and successfully stopped the bleeding.His blood is tested monthly now.
My question is........Today he woke up, went back to bed, and slept the entire day. He got up a few times for the washroom, but went right back to sleep.
We (the family) are not sure if this may be his blood count going down again, and should we get him to the hospital, or could it be an occasional day that alzheimers patients have.
Thanks for your time.

Replies(1)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on December 15th, 2006

Alzheimer’s Answer A1957

Patients with Alzheimerâ€™s disease may exhibit various types of â€œstrangeâ€ behavior (dementia) due to brain damage. Sleepiness could be a symptom of dementia in Alzheimerâ€™s disease. If your father is visiting the washroom to pee, this might be a symptom of an enlarged prostate, which is typical for men his age. Sleepiness can be also symptom of possible low blood count, but that must be be confirmed with a blood test. You can take your father to his primary health provider for blood test and to a neurologist for treatment of Alzheimerâ€™s disease.

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