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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Pleural Effusion, Constipation And A Hard Abdomen?

82yr old Mom normally turned circles around 50 yr olds two weeks ago became very weak. Collapsed at home just prior to doctor s app t. Low sodium, cardiac enzymes out of whack....hx diabetes, htn, hypercholestremia medically under good control. Also had only peanut sized stool past 2 weeks. Admitted . Chest fray shows left pleural effusion. Unable to keep sodium level normal, blood sugar continues to be high...now on insulin as opposed to Glucophage. Abdomen continues to be rock hard. Not getting any good answers from hospital doctors. ????????? Broke her ankle struggling to get up for over an hour at home..
Wed, 10 Sep 2014
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Cardiac enzymes out of whack suggest a heart attack. The pleural effusion could be related heart failure. The abdomen possibly has swelling which could be from heart failure or another problem. I am also concerned about a bowel obstruction with the hard abdomen and nearly nonexistent stools. Blood sugars become more difficult to control with stress on the body like this and insulin is required for better control. Low sodium could be due to a lot of conditions and needs workup to figure it out. I presume the doctors are doing the required workup. Insist on meeting them and get all your questions answered. You and your mother have the right to know what's going on, and sometimes you just have to be pushy to get the answers. Hope this helps.
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What Causes Pleural Effusion, Constipation And A Hard Abdomen?

Cardiac enzymes out of whack suggest a heart attack. The pleural effusion could be related heart failure. The abdomen possibly has swelling which could be from heart failure or another problem. I am also concerned about a bowel obstruction with the hard abdomen and nearly nonexistent stools. Blood sugars become more difficult to control with stress on the body like this and insulin is required for better control. Low sodium could be due to a lot of conditions and needs workup to figure it out. I presume the doctors are doing the required workup. Insist on meeting them and get all your questions answered. You and your mother have the right to know what s going on, and sometimes you just have to be pushy to get the answers. Hope this helps.