EXPERT
Dr. Leen Bakkali, MD
Geriatrician | Geriatric Medicine
Dr. Leen Bakkali practices Geriatric Medicine in Westport, Connecticut. Geriatricians prevent, manage, and develop care plans that address the special health problems of the elderly. Dr. Bakkali works as part of a team with other healthcare providers, to address the natural aging that goes on within the body and to manage multiple medical problems and ensure social support.
24 years
Experience
Dr. Leen Bakkali, MD
- Westport, Connecticut
- University Mohamed V
- Accepting new patients
No results found
What are the warning signs of Alzheimer's?
Alzheimer's disease can present in many different ways: short term memory loss, poor attention, deficits in judgment and reasoning, disorientation to place and time etc... These READ MORE
Alzheimer's disease can present in many different ways: short term memory loss, poor attention, deficits in judgment and reasoning, disorientation to place and time etc... These symptoms cause deficits in ability to complete daily tasks like paying bills, driving, cooking or taking medications as prescribed amongst other things. Take him to a geriatrician or a neurologist for cognitive testing.
Do people with dementia get geriatric depression?
People with dementia can be depressed, especially in the early stages of the disease.
How serious is geriatric depression?
It is treatable, there are many different medications that can be used like Sertraline or Citalopram.
Is hospice care best for an adult with advanced Alzheimer's?
Hospice care is for people with a terminal diagnosis and a life expectancy of 6 months or less. One of the many signs of terminal illness in dementia is low appetite and weight READ MORE
Hospice care is for people with a terminal diagnosis and a life expectancy of 6 months or less. One of the many signs of terminal illness in dementia is low appetite and weight loss, trouble chewing and swallowing.
How to manage health problems without asking for help?
This is a very broad question. What type of health issues? If you need hands on care and assistance with daily living activities, you might have to hire help if your family is READ MORE
This is a very broad question. What type of health issues? If you need hands on care and assistance with daily living activities, you might have to hire help if your family is not available
Is a sub-acute rehab center like a nursing home?
Sub-acute rehab can happen in a nursing home building. Some nursing homes have designated space for rehab only.
Is depression common among elders?
Yes, depression is a geriatric syndrome and is very common. It can be easily treated in most cases with SSRIs (Sertraline or Citalopram...)
My mother has been hallucinating. Is it due to her medication?
Antipsychotics are used to treat hallucinations. Ask her doctor if the hallucinations are improving on the medication, if not they can consider a different dose or antipsychotic. READ MORE
Antipsychotics are used to treat hallucinations. Ask her doctor if the hallucinations are improving on the medication, if not they can consider a different dose or antipsychotic.
Can the elderly take pain medications?
Tylenol is a safe medication for pain, but first consult with her primary care physician to find what the cause of her headaches.
How can I help my mother's emotional outbursts?
Are there any triggers? Remove triggers. Make the home environment calm and relaxing: music, lavender, offer favorite snacks, watch a game show. If nothing is helping, she might READ MORE
Are there any triggers?
Remove triggers.
Make the home environment calm and relaxing: music, lavender, offer favorite snacks, watch a game show.
If nothing is helping, she might benefit from medications like SSRI.
Remove triggers.
Make the home environment calm and relaxing: music, lavender, offer favorite snacks, watch a game show.
If nothing is helping, she might benefit from medications like SSRI.
How dangerous is low blood pressure for elderly patients?
Low blood pressure can cause dizziness and lightheadedness when standing which can lead to a fall an injury. Frequently older adults don't drink enough water and are dehydrated READ MORE
Low blood pressure can cause dizziness and lightheadedness when standing which can lead to a fall an injury. Frequently older adults don't drink enough water and are dehydrated which causes low blood pressure.
Encourage her to stay hydrated and follow with her doctor.
Encourage her to stay hydrated and follow with her doctor.
Why do I have no energy?
Many conditions can cause low Energy: low thyroid function, low vitamin B12, D levels, anemia, dehydration, deconditioning. I recommend seeing your doctor for basic blood work READ MORE
Many conditions can cause low Energy: low thyroid function, low vitamin B12, D levels, anemia, dehydration, deconditioning. I recommend seeing your doctor for basic blood work first. If all is normal make sure you drink enough water during the day, exercise daily: strength and cardio.
Cause of violent shaking and too weak to walk to the shower
The high fever of 103.5 could be due to an infection, I suggest he goes to his doctor or to urgent care next time this happens to check his urine and blood work. He should make READ MORE
The high fever of 103.5 could be due to an infection, I suggest he goes to his doctor or to urgent care next time this happens to check his urine and blood work.
He should make an appointment with his primary care physician for a thorough exam.
He should make an appointment with his primary care physician for a thorough exam.
Prozac for a 93 year old woman
Call the prescribing doctor report the side effects and ask about the reason the medication was prescribed. Prozac is FDA-approved to treat depression, panic disorders, OCD, and READ MORE
Call the prescribing doctor report the side effects and ask about the reason the medication was prescribed. Prozac is FDA-approved to treat depression, panic disorders, OCD, and bulimia nervosa.
Pneumonia
An untreated pneumonia can progress into sepsis which is a life-threatening condition. In few hours the patient can go into septic shock and cardiac arrest.
feeling lightheaded - should I be concerned?
Hello, Yes, you should see your doctor for an evaluation. The lightheadedness could be from slow heart rate (56) or low blood pressure when you stand up: orthostatic BP amongst READ MORE
Hello,
Yes, you should see your doctor for an evaluation. The lightheadedness could be from slow heart rate (56) or low blood pressure when you stand up: orthostatic BP amongst other possible causes.
Yes, you should see your doctor for an evaluation. The lightheadedness could be from slow heart rate (56) or low blood pressure when you stand up: orthostatic BP amongst other possible causes.
How is dementia different from Alzheimer's?
There are many types of dementias. Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia and the most common one ( about 60% of people with dementia have Alzheimer's disease). Other types READ MORE
There are many types of dementias.
Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia and the most common one ( about 60% of people with dementia have Alzheimer's disease).
Other types of dementias are due to vascular disease, lewi body disease, Parkinson's disease, alcohol related, fronto-temporal etc...
Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia and the most common one ( about 60% of people with dementia have Alzheimer's disease).
Other types of dementias are due to vascular disease, lewi body disease, Parkinson's disease, alcohol related, fronto-temporal etc...
Do I need to adjust my house for mother's Parkinson's disease?
Hello, Yes, people with Parkinsons disease have a higher risk of falling. I suggest you put grab bars in the shower and by the toilet. Remove throw rugs and clutter. Keep lights READ MORE
Hello, Yes, people with Parkinsons disease have a higher risk of falling. I suggest you put grab bars in the shower and by the toilet. Remove throw rugs and clutter. Keep lights in hallways. You can ask your moms doctor for a referral to physical therapy for a home safety assessment. A physical therapist will give you practical advice about how to make your home safer for mom. Sincerely, Leen Bakkali, MD
