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What Causes Swelling In The Leg Of An Elderly Person With Diabetes?
Question: Hi doctors. There's a female patient aged 50 years and weighed about 75-80 kg. She has been suffering from diabetics since more than 10 years. Initially it was controlled through tablets but now it seems tablets are not effective and therefore local doctor had suggest to take insulin shots in order to control sugar level.
Now from past few days we noticed a heavy swelling on patient's legs and feet. Please advise what could be the cause for swelling of legs? Could that be an insulin effect and normal for patients taking insulin shots? If not, what do you suggest to diagnose the root cause?
Local doctor mentioned that to be normal but did not say the cause and that is making me more worried. One side note - she's a thryriod patient as well.
I would be happy to provide you any further information as needed.
Now from past few days we noticed a heavy swelling on patient's legs and feet. Please advise what could be the cause for swelling of legs? Could that be an insulin effect and normal for patients taking insulin shots? If not, what do you suggest to diagnose the root cause?
Local doctor mentioned that to be normal but did not say the cause and that is making me more worried. One side note - she's a thryriod patient as well.
I would be happy to provide you any further information as needed.
Brief Answer:
2 main causes
Detailed Answer:
HI.
I am Dr Mittal.
I have read your message.
I think I can help you.
There are multiple possibilities for the symptoms that you suggested.
1. this could be the onset of kidney disease that is known to happen in diabetes. I would suggest testing ultrasound abdomen , kidney function tests and urine microalbumin.
2. this could be development of heart condition CHF. You will need to test her echocardiography to detect this.
The treatments are different, so that can be suggested after that only.
I have tried to make it as simple as possible.
Please contact us for more information.
Best of luck.
Dr Mittal
2 main causes
Detailed Answer:
HI.
I am Dr Mittal.
I have read your message.
I think I can help you.
There are multiple possibilities for the symptoms that you suggested.
1. this could be the onset of kidney disease that is known to happen in diabetes. I would suggest testing ultrasound abdomen , kidney function tests and urine microalbumin.
2. this could be development of heart condition CHF. You will need to test her echocardiography to detect this.
The treatments are different, so that can be suggested after that only.
I have tried to make it as simple as possible.
Please contact us for more information.
Best of luck.
Dr Mittal
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Answered by
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