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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Swelling In Both Feet And Ankles For An 82-year-old

I am having swelling problems in both feet, ankles and some increase in legs. I am presently taking high blood pressure medication morning and evening. I have reduced my salt intake, however, not completely. A fall two years ago injuring my right knee, has limited my exercise routine. I am 82 years of age, 155 lbs., 5 4 height. While not exercising on a regular basis, I am very active, I continue to work 3-Days a week, volunteer for Meals on Wheels - one day a week- plus church activities, i.e., attending on a regular basis and teaching Sunday School and an Adult class after service.
posted on Thu, 16 Jun 2016
Twitter Wed, 20 Jul 2016 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 20 Jul 2016 Last reviewed on
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  Anonymous's Response
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Hi
Since you haven't mentioned anything about the nature of onset or if it is painful I'm going to assume it's gradually progressed and it's painless. This is important to rule serious conditions such as Deep vein thrombosis which is acute onset and painful/tender.

Peripheral edema can be caused by salt and water retention which could be due to diseases of the Liver, Kidney, or heart.You can check if your edema is pitting type (apply pressure over your medial malleolus for 20-30secs and see if it pits). You'll have to run a few blood tests/scans to see what system is affected and this requires immediate treatment.

Also it could be drug induced edema. A few anti inflammatorys and a class of antihypertensives can cause edema. Now this has nothing to do with salt and water retention but you can see your physician and change the medication. Just look up online if your antihypertensives belong to the class of calcium channel blockers.

Also other conditions such as sleep apnea, leg varicosities need to be ruled out.
Hope this helps :)
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Suggest Treatment For Swelling In Both Feet And Ankles For An 82-year-old

Hi Since you haven t mentioned anything about the nature of onset or if it is painful I m going to assume it s gradually progressed and it s painless. This is important to rule serious conditions such as Deep vein thrombosis which is acute onset and painful/tender. Peripheral edema can be caused by salt and water retention which could be due to diseases of the Liver, Kidney, or heart.You can check if your edema is pitting type (apply pressure over your medial malleolus for 20-30secs and see if it pits). You ll have to run a few blood tests/scans to see what system is affected and this requires immediate treatment. Also it could be drug induced edema. A few anti inflammatorys and a class of antihypertensives can cause edema. Now this has nothing to do with salt and water retention but you can see your physician and change the medication. Just look up online if your antihypertensives belong to the class of calcium channel blockers. Also other conditions such as sleep apnea, leg varicosities need to be ruled out. Hope this helps :)