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
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
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