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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Congestive Heart Failure And Edema Be Treated?

My friend is a 6 foot male. Diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Has had a defibrillator implanted. Cardiologist is treating edema with high doses of lasix. My friend cannot force himself to eat. He currently weighs 125 lbs. He is week and literally skin and bnes. I feel that cardiologist keeps treating heart failure and ignoring starvation. Any thoughts? YYYY@YYYY
Tue, 1 Aug 2017
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM.
Sorry to know the condition your friend is going through.
Nutritional problem in congestive heart failure may be because of dietary restriction in form of low sodium diet,disease process itself or due to diuretic therapy.
If I were your treating doctor,I would recommend,
-Eat small frequent meals instead of a large one.
-Have whole grain cereals,dark green leafy vegetables,almonds in routine diet to make up for vitamins and minerals.
-Keep daily intake of salt less than 2 gram/day by consuming fresh vegetables,fruits,low fat lean meat.Avoid using packaged and processed food.
-Psychological support and encouragement is needed from the closed ones for building up the positive outlook of patient.
-Be compliant with all medication.The appetite and nutrition will improve as the disease process slows down cause of medications.
Hope this information helps.
Thanks and regards.
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How Can Congestive Heart Failure And Edema Be Treated?

Hello and welcome to HCM. Sorry to know the condition your friend is going through. Nutritional problem in congestive heart failure may be because of dietary restriction in form of low sodium diet,disease process itself or due to diuretic therapy. If I were your treating doctor,I would recommend, -Eat small frequent meals instead of a large one. -Have whole grain cereals,dark green leafy vegetables,almonds in routine diet to make up for vitamins and minerals. -Keep daily intake of salt less than 2 gram/day by consuming fresh vegetables,fruits,low fat lean meat.Avoid using packaged and processed food. -Psychological support and encouragement is needed from the closed ones for building up the positive outlook of patient. -Be compliant with all medication.The appetite and nutrition will improve as the disease process slows down cause of medications. Hope this information helps. Thanks and regards.