Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Suggest Remedy For Breathlessness In An Elderly Person With Heart Ailment
My mother is 89 years old, has breathing problems, heart problems and is receiving home care. She is weak, and near end if life. In the last few days we now see her toes, left foot are turning black and spreading. Her leg and foot are sore. I am giving dilantin (morphine) to keep her comfortable. Going to work for hospice involvement tomorrow. How quickly does this blackness spread?
Mon, 4 Jan 2016
Hi,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
I understand your concern.
Experiencing breathlessness in an elderly person with heart ailment could be due to problems associated with heart or lungs or both. She might be having difficulty in pumping of the heart or infection of lungs causing difficulty in breathing.
Also, taking morphine could cause depression of the respiratory symptoms making breathing more difficult.
The other thing what you are complaining of blackening of toes and spreading could be due to formation of dry gangrene caused due to blockage of blood vessels and arterial insufficiency to the affected area.
She cannot be managed at home at this stage and she needs to be hospitalised and evaluated completely and then appropriately treated.
Spread of gangrene is quite quick and hence it would be better if you act quickly.
Hope the information provided would be helpful.
All the best.
Thanks for posting in HCM.
I understand your concern.
Experiencing breathlessness in an elderly person with heart ailment could be due to problems associated with heart or lungs or both. She might be having difficulty in pumping of the heart or infection of lungs causing difficulty in breathing.
Also, taking morphine could cause depression of the respiratory symptoms making breathing more difficult.
The other thing what you are complaining of blackening of toes and spreading could be due to formation of dry gangrene caused due to blockage of blood vessels and arterial insufficiency to the affected area.
She cannot be managed at home at this stage and she needs to be hospitalised and evaluated completely and then appropriately treated.
Spread of gangrene is quite quick and hence it would be better if you act quickly.
Hope the information provided would be helpful.
All the best.
I find this answer helpful
Hi,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
I understand your concern.
Experiencing breathlessness in an elderly person with heart ailment could be due to problems associated with heart or lungs or both.
Taking morphine could cause depression of the respiratory symptoms making breathing more difficult.
The other thing what you are complaining of blackening of toes and spreading could be due to formation of dry gangrene. This may be caused due to blockage of blood vessels and arterial insufficiency to the affected area as her heart is unable to pump good quantity of blood to the peripheral tissues and lungs are unable to oxygenate blood efficiently as she has breathing difficulty.
She cannot be managed at home at this stage and she needs to be hospitalised and evaluated completely and then appropriately treated.
Spread of gangrene is quite quick and hence it would be better if you act quickly.
Hope the information provided would be helpful.
All the best.
Thanks for posting in HCM.
I understand your concern.
Experiencing breathlessness in an elderly person with heart ailment could be due to problems associated with heart or lungs or both.
Taking morphine could cause depression of the respiratory symptoms making breathing more difficult.
The other thing what you are complaining of blackening of toes and spreading could be due to formation of dry gangrene. This may be caused due to blockage of blood vessels and arterial insufficiency to the affected area as her heart is unable to pump good quantity of blood to the peripheral tissues and lungs are unable to oxygenate blood efficiently as she has breathing difficulty.
She cannot be managed at home at this stage and she needs to be hospitalised and evaluated completely and then appropriately treated.
Spread of gangrene is quite quick and hence it would be better if you act quickly.
Hope the information provided would be helpful.
All the best.
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Loading Online Doctors....