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Suggest Treatment For Swollen Right Foot
Question: My right foot is swollen. When I press down on instep it remains indented and takes a second or two to recover
Brief Answer:
unilateral swelling less likely heart related
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
It is natural to be concerned about the possibility that the swelling is heart related but if it involves only one limb,it is less likely.
Heart failure can cause swelling of the legs and ankles but this would normally be bilateral (affect both limbs) not only one limb.
It would be rare for heart disease to cause only unilateral swelling but if you are concerned then your doctor can assess you to check your heart and lungs (can cause fluid build up in lungs as well).
Heart failure is associated with these symptoms: shortness of breath which usually occurs on activity, fatigue, difficulty sleeping flat, swelling of legs and , in severe cases, swelling of the abdomen due to fluid build up.
Liver, kidney disease, side effect of medications (eg amlodipine) are also causes of swelling but again they would also be more common associated with bilateral swelling.
There are some conditions that cause unilateral swelling such as venous disease, trauma, arthritis, infection.
One of these may be the cause, if there is any associated pain then arthritis, trauma or infection are more likely.
The treatment would depend on the cause.
The cause can be determined by your doctor by taking a careful history of any symptoms.
Physical examination of the heart, lungs, abdomen and legs.
Investigations- the investigations done would depend on information from the history and examination
Summary: (1) because involves only one side, less likely heart related
(2)there are causes of unilateral leg , ankle or foot swelling
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
unilateral swelling less likely heart related
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
It is natural to be concerned about the possibility that the swelling is heart related but if it involves only one limb,it is less likely.
Heart failure can cause swelling of the legs and ankles but this would normally be bilateral (affect both limbs) not only one limb.
It would be rare for heart disease to cause only unilateral swelling but if you are concerned then your doctor can assess you to check your heart and lungs (can cause fluid build up in lungs as well).
Heart failure is associated with these symptoms: shortness of breath which usually occurs on activity, fatigue, difficulty sleeping flat, swelling of legs and , in severe cases, swelling of the abdomen due to fluid build up.
Liver, kidney disease, side effect of medications (eg amlodipine) are also causes of swelling but again they would also be more common associated with bilateral swelling.
There are some conditions that cause unilateral swelling such as venous disease, trauma, arthritis, infection.
One of these may be the cause, if there is any associated pain then arthritis, trauma or infection are more likely.
The treatment would depend on the cause.
The cause can be determined by your doctor by taking a careful history of any symptoms.
Physical examination of the heart, lungs, abdomen and legs.
Investigations- the investigations done would depend on information from the history and examination
Summary: (1) because involves only one side, less likely heart related
(2)there are causes of unilateral leg , ankle or foot swelling
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
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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