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Suggest Treatment For Shortness Of Breath And Sleeping Difficulty
Question: My father is 92.
He has shortage of breath, loss of appetite, lost weight, difficulty sleeping lying down, sleeps off and on in a chair, is constantly tired and his color has become very white.
He had an aerotic valve change 10 years ago, has a pacemaker and some issues with his white blood count. He takes pills to control the white blood count (leukemia)
He wears compression stockings to avoid water build up in his legs and feet.
Tests to date show his heart is ok and his lungs are infected ( some white specs). They do not think it is cancer. Pulmonary doctor suggested he stop taking his leukemia pills to see if it improves his condition. Hematologist said ok. Next test to be done will be a breathing test as they try and figure out what is wrong with him.
He recently had some water in his chest but the diuretics removed it and brought the swelling down in his legs, ankles and feet.
His mind is sound. He thinks he is dying. We love him-wonderful man.
Can you help us?
Thank you for your help
His son.
He has shortage of breath, loss of appetite, lost weight, difficulty sleeping lying down, sleeps off and on in a chair, is constantly tired and his color has become very white.
He had an aerotic valve change 10 years ago, has a pacemaker and some issues with his white blood count. He takes pills to control the white blood count (leukemia)
He wears compression stockings to avoid water build up in his legs and feet.
Tests to date show his heart is ok and his lungs are infected ( some white specs). They do not think it is cancer. Pulmonary doctor suggested he stop taking his leukemia pills to see if it improves his condition. Hematologist said ok. Next test to be done will be a breathing test as they try and figure out what is wrong with him.
He recently had some water in his chest but the diuretics removed it and brought the swelling down in his legs, ankles and feet.
His mind is sound. He thinks he is dying. We love him-wonderful man.
Can you help us?
Thank you for your help
His son.
Brief Answer:
All his symptoms are suggestive of heart failure.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
I have gone through the history you have given.
By your history and description, possibility of heart failure due to anemia or cardiac disease is more likely.
His symptoms like shortness of breath, loss of appetite, weight loss, breathlessness on lying down (orthopnea) etc are mostly due to heart failure.
White appearance (pale look) and excessive Tiredness are mostly due to anemia.
So better to get done CBC (complete blood count) and 2d echo first.
If he is having anemia then blood transfusion is needed.
For heart failure, diuretics are needed.
So better to consult his doctor and discuss all these.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your father. Thanks.
All his symptoms are suggestive of heart failure.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
I have gone through the history you have given.
By your history and description, possibility of heart failure due to anemia or cardiac disease is more likely.
His symptoms like shortness of breath, loss of appetite, weight loss, breathlessness on lying down (orthopnea) etc are mostly due to heart failure.
White appearance (pale look) and excessive Tiredness are mostly due to anemia.
So better to get done CBC (complete blood count) and 2d echo first.
If he is having anemia then blood transfusion is needed.
For heart failure, diuretics are needed.
So better to consult his doctor and discuss all these.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your father. Thanks.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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