My Mother Suffers With Leaky Heart. She Has Edema From
 
                                    
                                    
                                          
                                               Posted on
                                          
                                            
                                         
                                           Tue, 13 Aug 2019
                                           
                                        
                                        
                                        
                                            Medically reviewed by
                                            
                                                  Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
                                            
                                        
                                        
                                            
                                                
                                                Tue, 13 Aug 2019
                                                
                                            
                                                Answered on
                                             
                                            
                                                
                                                
                                                Last reviewed on
                                             
                                            Question : My mother suffers with leaky heart. She has edema from heart issue. Is it ok to rub her legs with rubbing alcohol?
                            
                                    Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that alcohol use would not help, but also could cause harm and local irritation.
Instead, I would first recommend stopping the calcium channel blocker (which can lead to leg swelling as a common adverse effect) and switch to another antihypertensive drug.
The next step, if this does not help, would add a diuretic drug to her therapy (furosemide, torasemide, etc.).
You should discuss with her doctor on the above treatment options.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Kind regards,
Dr. Ilir Sharka
Cardiologist
                                    
                            I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that alcohol use would not help, but also could cause harm and local irritation.
Instead, I would first recommend stopping the calcium channel blocker (which can lead to leg swelling as a common adverse effect) and switch to another antihypertensive drug.
The next step, if this does not help, would add a diuretic drug to her therapy (furosemide, torasemide, etc.).
You should discuss with her doctor on the above treatment options.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Kind regards,
Dr. Ilir Sharka
Cardiologist
 Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
                              
                            
                                  
                                      Dr. Raju A.T
                                  
                              
                                         
 
                                    
                                    
                                
 
                                    With edema from heart issues. What are some things she can do to help with swelling? Can she soak In epsom salt and also are there any essential oils she can use for her type of edema?
                                
                            
                                    Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I understand your concern and would explain that local salts or massage.
In my opinion, reducing water intake and avoiding prolonged standing up position is the best way to avoid edema.
Optimization of therapy (adding diuretics and avoiding calcium channel blocker) can help improve her situation too.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Wishing all the best,
Dr.Iliri
                                    
                            I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I understand your concern and would explain that local salts or massage.
In my opinion, reducing water intake and avoiding prolonged standing up position is the best way to avoid edema.
Optimization of therapy (adding diuretics and avoiding calcium channel blocker) can help improve her situation too.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Wishing all the best,
Dr.Iliri
 Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
                              
                            
                                  
                                      Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
                                  
                              
                                         
 
                                    
                                    
                                
 
                                    Is local salt epsom salt?
                                
                            
                                    Brief Answer:
Yes, it can help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Yes, it can help a little, especially if there are varicose veins present in her legs.
Hope you will find this information helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr.Iliri
                                    
                            Yes, it can help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Yes, it can help a little, especially if there are varicose veins present in her legs.
Hope you will find this information helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr.Iliri
 Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
                              
                            
                                  
                                      Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
                                  
                              
                                         
 
                                    
                                    
                                Answered by
                                                    Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
                        
                                
                                