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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Swollen Legs After Respiratory Failure

my mom is in hospital after going into respiratory failure two weeks ago. she spent eleven days in icu and is on three different antibiotics for pseudomas bacteria. she has copd her feet are swollen really badly she is getting lasix, she is also on oxygen. her white blood count is elevated and she had a chest xray yesterday i think to hopefully rule out pneumonia, she is not eating well either. she is scared, so am i.
Wed, 20 Sep 2017
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Pulmonologist,  's  Response
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Respiratory failure causes right sided heart damage and failure.
Right side of heart receives blood from the body. So when it fails, venous return is hampered and so fluid accumulates in gravity dependent parts like legs.
So this is the reason for swollen feet.
So she will need higher dose of Lasix and additional diuretic (spironolactone).
Fluid restriction (less than 1.5 liters per day) and salt restriction are also advisable.
Limb elevation in bed also helps in the regressing edema.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your mother. Thanks.
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Suggest Treatment For Swollen Legs After Respiratory Failure

Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic. I can understand your concern. Respiratory failure causes right sided heart damage and failure. Right side of heart receives blood from the body. So when it fails, venous return is hampered and so fluid accumulates in gravity dependent parts like legs. So this is the reason for swollen feet. So she will need higher dose of Lasix and additional diuretic (spironolactone). Fluid restriction (less than 1.5 liters per day) and salt restriction are also advisable. Limb elevation in bed also helps in the regressing edema. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your mother. Thanks.