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How Can Swollen Legs Be Treated?
Question: My feet and ankles have begun to swell/ retain water significantly in last two weeks. Generally there is no pain, but my nice slim ankles now look like elephant feet. I have been on the same medications for years for HBP - Losartan BTCZ in the morning, 100 mg of Tenormin/atenolol at night. I usually eat The same foods and beverages every day - milk, water, cheese, simple salads
some popcorn occasional glass of white wine
My regular doctor cannot see m until July 22nd. Is there anything I can take to reduce the swelling in my feet until the root cause is found? Thank you, XXXX
some popcorn occasional glass of white wine
My regular doctor cannot see m until July 22nd. Is there anything I can take to reduce the swelling in my feet until the root cause is found? Thank you, XXXX
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thank you for asking on HealthcareMagic!
I saw the picture of your swollen legs and would explain that this clinical situation seems to be related to fluid retention.
It is very important consulting with your attending physician and performing some tests to investigate the possible causes ( heart failure, liver or kidney dysfunction, diabetes or electrolyte imbalance).
For this reason, I would recommend performing these tests:
- a resting ECG and cardiac ultrasound
- NT-pro-BNP levels for heart failure
- blood electrolytes
- fasting glucose
- kidney and liver function tests.
A Doppler ultrasound of the leg vessels would also be needed to exclude chronic venous insufficiency.
I would like to know the name of the diuretic and the dose that you have tried. Taking a higher dose may be necessary to cause a visible reduction in the leg swelling.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Kind regards,
Dr.Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thank you for asking on HealthcareMagic!
I saw the picture of your swollen legs and would explain that this clinical situation seems to be related to fluid retention.
It is very important consulting with your attending physician and performing some tests to investigate the possible causes ( heart failure, liver or kidney dysfunction, diabetes or electrolyte imbalance).
For this reason, I would recommend performing these tests:
- a resting ECG and cardiac ultrasound
- NT-pro-BNP levels for heart failure
- blood electrolytes
- fasting glucose
- kidney and liver function tests.
A Doppler ultrasound of the leg vessels would also be needed to exclude chronic venous insufficiency.
I would like to know the name of the diuretic and the dose that you have tried. Taking a higher dose may be necessary to cause a visible reduction in the leg swelling.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Kind regards,
Dr.Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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