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Suggest Treatment For Cough, Swelling On Feet And Bloated Abdomen
Question: Hi there,
My mother-in-law is in XXXXXXX with little access to healthcare. She has been having a trio of symptoms for the past week--swollen feet, swollen belly and a cough that is productive but not bloody. We are trying to decide if these symptoms are serious enough to warrant a costly and difficult trip to the capital city. Might you be able to give any advice?
Thank you very much,
XXXX
My mother-in-law is in XXXXXXX with little access to healthcare. She has been having a trio of symptoms for the past week--swollen feet, swollen belly and a cough that is productive but not bloody. We are trying to decide if these symptoms are serious enough to warrant a costly and difficult trip to the capital city. Might you be able to give any advice?
Thank you very much,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
should be assessed
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
It would be best for her to be assessed.
Swelling of the lower limbs, abdomen can be associated with different conditions such as :
(1) heart failure- the back up of fluid in the lungs can cause cough
(2)kidney failure
(3) liver failure
Heart failure, kidney failure and liver failure cause retention of fluids. This fluid tends to collect in the legs first then there may be abdominal swelling (ascites) and then fluid up in the lungs particularly with heart failure.
(4) trauma to the legs- not likely since there is also abdominal swelling and cough
(5) side effect of medication and venous disease- leg swelling-some blood pressure meds can and venous disease as well but would not also cause the other symptoms
It is possible that the symptoms are coincidental eg swelling of feet due to venous disease, abdomen due to bloating and cough due to cold/flu or post nasal drip but this would need to be determined by assessment from her doctor.
I hope this helps , feel free to ask any other questions
should be assessed
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
It would be best for her to be assessed.
Swelling of the lower limbs, abdomen can be associated with different conditions such as :
(1) heart failure- the back up of fluid in the lungs can cause cough
(2)kidney failure
(3) liver failure
Heart failure, kidney failure and liver failure cause retention of fluids. This fluid tends to collect in the legs first then there may be abdominal swelling (ascites) and then fluid up in the lungs particularly with heart failure.
(4) trauma to the legs- not likely since there is also abdominal swelling and cough
(5) side effect of medication and venous disease- leg swelling-some blood pressure meds can and venous disease as well but would not also cause the other symptoms
It is possible that the symptoms are coincidental eg swelling of feet due to venous disease, abdomen due to bloating and cough due to cold/flu or post nasal drip but this would need to be determined by assessment from her doctor.
I hope this helps , feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr. Gibson XXXXXXX
Thank you so very much for your detailed and quick reply. We are trying to arrange her trip to see a doctor in the city. This could take several days to arrange, and will be a two-day journey for her.
In the meantime, if her situation is indeed one of the more serious possibilities (which we are afraid might be the case), might there be any over-the-counter medicines she could take to relieve symptoms over the next few days? If so, we would probably have to buy them here in the U.S. and ship to her in XXXXXXX
This is truly an amazing service. Thank you for helping us and giving us some sound advice to work with, rather than just blindly guessing what to do!
Best wishes,
XXXX
Thank you so very much for your detailed and quick reply. We are trying to arrange her trip to see a doctor in the city. This could take several days to arrange, and will be a two-day journey for her.
In the meantime, if her situation is indeed one of the more serious possibilities (which we are afraid might be the case), might there be any over-the-counter medicines she could take to relieve symptoms over the next few days? If so, we would probably have to buy them here in the U.S. and ship to her in XXXXXXX
This is truly an amazing service. Thank you for helping us and giving us some sound advice to work with, rather than just blindly guessing what to do!
Best wishes,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
meds would be prescription unfor, reduce fluid and salt use
Detailed Answer:
HI
Unfortunately if one of the more serious causes the medication would depend somewhat on the exact cause though a diuretic such as lasix, to get rid of excess fluids, would likely be suggested
These are prescription meds and not likely to be prescribed until she is seen.
She may want to monitor her fluid intake- reduction may help as well
Since salt causes fluid retention, reducing salt use would also be of some benefit
Elevation of the lower limbs whenever possible would reduce the swelling in the legs
Please feel free to ask any other questions
meds would be prescription unfor, reduce fluid and salt use
Detailed Answer:
HI
Unfortunately if one of the more serious causes the medication would depend somewhat on the exact cause though a diuretic such as lasix, to get rid of excess fluids, would likely be suggested
These are prescription meds and not likely to be prescribed until she is seen.
She may want to monitor her fluid intake- reduction may help as well
Since salt causes fluid retention, reducing salt use would also be of some benefit
Elevation of the lower limbs whenever possible would reduce the swelling in the legs
Please feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks again, doctor. Truly appreciate your help.
Brief Answer:
no problem
Detailed Answer:
Hope everything works out well
Feel free to contact with any additional queries
God bless
no problem
Detailed Answer:
Hope everything works out well
Feel free to contact with any additional queries
God bless
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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