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Suggest Treatment For Swelling In Lower Legs And Ankles
Question: In brief, I am visiting here from NY, drove down. Upon arriving in Fl after a few days feet began to swell. Then my lower legs and ankles. I was seen at an ER where I was treated for a UTI, put on antibiotics, lasik, and potassium. We then drove to XXXXXXX where the swelling has continued and has gotten worse. When I get up in the morning it is less but by evening it has become quite painful and excessive. We plan on returning home in about 10 days...should I be concerned and see another doctor while in Texas?
Brief Answer:
there are some tests you should do
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
you haven't mentioned the full details of your visit to the ER so I'll mention the required tests for your condition. If you've done them already then this is fine. Otherwise you should make sure you do them as soon as possible.
- Cardioglocigal assessment: heart failure may present with various symptoms include a fluctuating swelling on the legs. A heart echo would make things clear regarding this concern.
- Ultrasound scan of the leg veins: it would help to evaluate the condition of your leg veins. Sometimes this is the cause, either chronic vein insufficiency or acute thrombosis (deep vein thrombosis - DVT). Bilateral DVT is not a common finding but being confined to a seat for many hours raises some suspicion. Symptoms like calf pain and increased temperature locally (a hot calf versus a normal rest of the leg), should make investigation more urgent. A negative blood d-dimers test excludes DVT.
- urinalysis: it would help to detect renal problems that may cause swelling like proteinuria.
- blood proteins (total proteins and albumin) : low albumin may cause swelling. If low albumin is discovered then investigation for its cause should follow.
Other less common causes may apply to your case. I've mentioned the most common ones. Regarding immediate concerns, there are some and you'd better do the tests as soon as possible. Clinical examination and some tests may triage the patients requiring more urgent investigation.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
there are some tests you should do
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
you haven't mentioned the full details of your visit to the ER so I'll mention the required tests for your condition. If you've done them already then this is fine. Otherwise you should make sure you do them as soon as possible.
- Cardioglocigal assessment: heart failure may present with various symptoms include a fluctuating swelling on the legs. A heart echo would make things clear regarding this concern.
- Ultrasound scan of the leg veins: it would help to evaluate the condition of your leg veins. Sometimes this is the cause, either chronic vein insufficiency or acute thrombosis (deep vein thrombosis - DVT). Bilateral DVT is not a common finding but being confined to a seat for many hours raises some suspicion. Symptoms like calf pain and increased temperature locally (a hot calf versus a normal rest of the leg), should make investigation more urgent. A negative blood d-dimers test excludes DVT.
- urinalysis: it would help to detect renal problems that may cause swelling like proteinuria.
- blood proteins (total proteins and albumin) : low albumin may cause swelling. If low albumin is discovered then investigation for its cause should follow.
Other less common causes may apply to your case. I've mentioned the most common ones. Regarding immediate concerns, there are some and you'd better do the tests as soon as possible. Clinical examination and some tests may triage the patients requiring more urgent investigation.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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