Falls, hypokalaemia, and a dry mouth

摘要

In May, 2006, a 77-year-old man presented to the emergency department at St Thomas' Hospital after several falls. He reported a chronic cough, a dry mouth, nocturia, and generalised weakness, such that he could not stand from a sitting position. His medical history included epilepsy, hypertension, and a tubulovillous adenoma, which had been removed. His only medication was phenytoin, which he took sporadically.