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Suggest Treatment For Swelling In The Body
Question: One morning i woke up with sever edema, body swelling hat lasted for almost a week. Hand so swollen could not grip a broom handle. I am suspicious my wife did some thing, Arsenic, or antifreeze? Any other possible causes? I am not allergic to any foods or medicines. Kidneys still working well.Thanks
Brief Answer:
Causes for generalized edema/swelling
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for trusting HealthcareMagic for your health concern
Viral infections: Any acute viral illness can trigger generalized edema, especially in older people. Since your edema lasted only for a week without any particular identifiable cause, this must have been the cause for your edema
Liver failure: can cause generalized body swelling. However, this will be diagnosed by abnormal liver function test.
Kidney dysfunction: Will be identified by abnormal renal function test. Anti freeze can cause generalized body swelling due to kidney failure. Since your kidneys were normal, then anti freeze is not a concern.
Hypothyroidism: Will be detected by doing thyroid function test.
Cardiac failure will cause edema or swelling, but usually limited to lower legs.
Since you were evaluated, all the possible causes must have been ruled out. Do viral illness us likely possibility. Arsenic poisoning will not cause body swelling.
Hope this answers your questions
Please address further questions here
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Causes for generalized edema/swelling
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for trusting HealthcareMagic for your health concern
Viral infections: Any acute viral illness can trigger generalized edema, especially in older people. Since your edema lasted only for a week without any particular identifiable cause, this must have been the cause for your edema
Liver failure: can cause generalized body swelling. However, this will be diagnosed by abnormal liver function test.
Kidney dysfunction: Will be identified by abnormal renal function test. Anti freeze can cause generalized body swelling due to kidney failure. Since your kidneys were normal, then anti freeze is not a concern.
Hypothyroidism: Will be detected by doing thyroid function test.
Cardiac failure will cause edema or swelling, but usually limited to lower legs.
Since you were evaluated, all the possible causes must have been ruled out. Do viral illness us likely possibility. Arsenic poisoning will not cause body swelling.
Hope this answers your questions
Please address further questions here
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Nice and thorough answer, however my non-Kaiser doctor has ruled out all of the possibilities yo listed. Perhaps I should reword my question.
If I was subjected to poison by my ex wife, what commonly available chemicals would/could cause the edema with no other symptoms?
Other wises should I call the poison control center (do you have their phone number or website) or do you have any other suggested answers?
Note: If you lead me to the proper resolution, I will consider my $18 well spent.
Talk to you later
If I was subjected to poison by my ex wife, what commonly available chemicals would/could cause the edema with no other symptoms?
Other wises should I call the poison control center (do you have their phone number or website) or do you have any other suggested answers?
Note: If you lead me to the proper resolution, I will consider my $18 well spent.
Talk to you later
Brief Answer:
Follow up answer
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Most toxins that cause body swelling like organophosphates, herbicides will have predominant associated symptoms like breathing difficulty, confusion, seizures etc.
The toxin which presents mainly with body swelling alone is Callista brevisiphonata found in Callista Shellfish. The toxin if ingested releases histamine in body (as in an allergic reaction) and result in edema. People may also experience skin redness and breathing difficulty depending on histamine results. The symptoms subside on its own without any antidote therapy.
The phone number for poison control center is (800) 222-1222. You can reach them 24*7.
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Follow up answer
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Most toxins that cause body swelling like organophosphates, herbicides will have predominant associated symptoms like breathing difficulty, confusion, seizures etc.
The toxin which presents mainly with body swelling alone is Callista brevisiphonata found in Callista Shellfish. The toxin if ingested releases histamine in body (as in an allergic reaction) and result in edema. People may also experience skin redness and breathing difficulty depending on histamine results. The symptoms subside on its own without any antidote therapy.
The phone number for poison control center is (800) 222-1222. You can reach them 24*7.
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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