Connect with others who understand.

  •   Learn from expert-reviewed resources
  •   Real advice from people who’ve been there
  •   People who understand what you’re going through
Sign Up Log In
All Resources Treatments A-Z Personal Assistant Help Center Crisis
Powered By
Real members of myALZteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

I have kind of new question. In addition to being formally diagnosed, this summer till now, my husband is short of breath, tired takes 2-3na

A myALZteam Member asked a question 💭
Georgetown, SC

Naps a day.We have spent $ on clearing his heart and lungs as perfect. He is 79. Pretty much very down lives in chair dementia. He still drives 1 x a week. Just started well butrin. Any neurological disease would cause shortness of breath?

5 days ago
 · 
Be the first to react
A myALZteam Member

He actually has no formal diagnosis. We see his primary 11/12. I think I need a neurology work up I have been in a support group for 2 years

5 days ago
myALZteam

What a thoughtful question — and it's clear how much care and effort you're putting into understanding what your husband is going through.

Yes, Alzheimer's and dementia can contribute to shortness of breath and extreme tiredness, even when the heart and lungs check out fine. As dementia advances, the brain's ability to Show Full Answer

What a thoughtful question — and it's clear how much care and effort you're putting into understanding what your husband is going through.

Yes, Alzheimer's and dementia can contribute to shortness of breath and extreme tiredness, even when the heart and lungs check out fine. As dementia advances, the brain's ability to regulate basic body functions — including breathing — can become less efficient. Excessive daytime napping (2-3 times a day) is also very common in Alzheimer's. The brain's internal clock, which controls sleep and wake cycles, gets disrupted. This can cause:

- Daytime sleepiness and frequent napping
- Low energy and fatigue
- Difficulty staying active or engaged

This disrupted sleep pattern is especially common in more advanced stages of Alzheimer's. One important thing worth raising with his doctor — driving safety. A myALZteam member shared that their husband, also in his late 70s with a dementia diagnosis, was advised to stop driving after a formal assessment. Even once-a-week driving can pose real risks as dementia progresses, and it may be worth having an honest conversation with his neurologist about whether it's still safe. It's always best to bring these specific symptoms — the breathlessness, fatigue, and napping — to his care team so they can look at the full picture alongside his Alzheimer's progression and his new medication.

5 days ago

Related Questions

View All

How do you know what stage your loved one is at?

A myALZteam Member asked a question 💭
Cardigan
May 15, 2019

Your Loved One Has Just Been Diagnosed With Alzheimer's. Now What?
Alzheimer’s and Anger: 6 Ways To Manage Outbursts
Is Paranoia a Sign of Dementia? Delusions and More
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Google
By joining, you accept our Terms of Use, and acknowledge our collection, sharing, and use of your data in accordance with our Health Data and Privacy policies.
Already a member? Log In