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Can Inhaling Air Duster Cause Swollen And Painful Feet?

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Posted on Wed, 23 Dec 2015
Question: I know someone who has been huffing air dusters.Their feet are very swollen and painful. He has not huffed in two weeks. I took him to the hospital and they found no blood clots and blood tests came back fine. Is there anything that can be done for the swelling?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

I understand your concern and would explain that huffing air dusters can be related to several adverse effects, based on the inhalated substances contained in the air dusters.

From the other hand it is necessary to perform a differential diagnosis of different causes leading to swollen legs:

- kidney disease
- liver disease
- heart failure which could also be a complication of chronic pulmonary disease
- inflammation: in this case only the joints would be swollen and painful
- fluid retention
- venous insufficiency in the lower limbs.

Could you please upload all the performed blood tests for me to review?

Did they perform a Doppler ultrasound of the lower limb vessels (which has excluded any possible blood clot)?

I would recommend performing also a chest X ray study, a cardiac ultrasound, kidney and liver function tests and inflammation tests (PCR, sedimentation rate).

If there is any evidence of fluid retention, a diuretic would be helpful in reducing the leg edema.

If inflammation is detected on the above mentioned tests, inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, naproxene, etc, would help relieve the pain and the leg edema.

Hope to have been helpful!

Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need!

Best wishes!

Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (30 minutes later)
They did an ultrasound and found nothing. They said all the blood tests didn't show anyrhing
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I recommend as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

Did they perform a cardiac ultrasound to examine the cardiac function and a chest X ray study?

From the other hand some tests (as I mentioned before) should be done to investigate for possible fluid retention (total proteine, blood osmolarity, urine osmolarity, kidney and liver function tests) and for inflammation (PCR, sedimentation rate).

Could you please upload the tests reports for me to review?

Best wishes!

Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (17 minutes later)
I don't have the test results on hand. I am going to his regular family dr. At 3:45. I will bring your report and get back to you
I don't know what long term damage he has done to his body since the huffing has gone on for about a year on and off .
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (9 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

As I mentioned before the lungs are the primary organ to have the direct consequences.

So a chest X ray and respiratory function tests are necessary to examine better his lungs function.

But the substances contained in the air dusters are absorbed from the lungs during inhalation in the blood and cause several sided effects in other organs like the heart, the kidneys, the liver, muscles, brain and nerves.

So it is important to perform many lab tests to investigate for any possible organ dysfunction.

The heart is closely connected to the lungs and a pulmonary chronic disease would induce a cardiac dysfunction. So it is important performing a resting ECG and a cardiac ultrasound to examine better the cardiac function.

The other blood tests are necessary to investigate for other organ dysfunction.

That is why it is necessary to perform several tests in order to be able to make a differential diagnosis between several disorders which could lead to this clinical situation.

I would be happy to review his reports.

Greetings!

Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (33 minutes later)
I will get back to you later today or tomorrow
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I am at your disposal whenever you need.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

I am at your disposal whenever you need!

Feel free to ask me at any time directly at the link below:

http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=69765

Best wishes!

Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems and comprehensive renal care, talk to a Nephrologist. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9541 Questions

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Can Inhaling Air Duster Cause Swollen And Painful Feet?

Brief Answer: I would explain as follows: Detailed Answer: Hello! Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM! I understand your concern and would explain that huffing air dusters can be related to several adverse effects, based on the inhalated substances contained in the air dusters. From the other hand it is necessary to perform a differential diagnosis of different causes leading to swollen legs: - kidney disease - liver disease - heart failure which could also be a complication of chronic pulmonary disease - inflammation: in this case only the joints would be swollen and painful - fluid retention - venous insufficiency in the lower limbs. Could you please upload all the performed blood tests for me to review? Did they perform a Doppler ultrasound of the lower limb vessels (which has excluded any possible blood clot)? I would recommend performing also a chest X ray study, a cardiac ultrasound, kidney and liver function tests and inflammation tests (PCR, sedimentation rate). If there is any evidence of fluid retention, a diuretic would be helpful in reducing the leg edema. If inflammation is detected on the above mentioned tests, inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, naproxene, etc, would help relieve the pain and the leg edema. Hope to have been helpful! Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need! Best wishes! Dr. Iliri